The dress rehearsal was a success, the EM can come: The German handball players passed their ultimate endurance test against Olympic champion France with flying colors.
The team of national coach Alfred Gislason defeated the French star ensemble with a goal by Luca Witzke in the final second with 35:34 (14:18) and boarded the plane to Bratislava with plenty of self-confidence.
Four days before the start of the tournament, the German team showed a really strong performance against the record world champions, especially when it came to fighting.
Captain Johannes Golla and Co. were not discouraged by an intermittent 16:21 deficit, caught up and, thanks to a very strong second half, won completely deservedly.
Kai Häfner became the best goalscorer with eight goals.
Goalkeeper Andreas Wolff also confirmed his strong form with several saves.
The DHB selection, peppered with nine tournament debutants, had already won the first European Championship test against Switzerland on Friday at 30:26.
And so the German team travels to the preliminary round venue in Bratislava in a good mood on Wednesday.
There she will meet Belarus (January 14), Austria (January 16) and Poland (January 18) in the first phase of the tournament.
After the sovereign performance against Switzerland, Gislason had warned against too high expectations of his internationally inexperienced players with a view to the France game.
"There you will probably be shown your limits," said the Icelander, "but that is also a very valuable experience for us."
That's exactly what it looked like at first.
The German team stayed within striking distance until the 20th minute (10:10), but the French around superstar Nikola Karabatic always kept control.
At the front, the German team lacked creativity and punch after the injury-related replacement of playmaker Philipp Weber (23rd) in the final phase of the first half, while at the back they sometimes seemed overwhelmed against the individual class and the pace of the opponent.
“We had phases in which we were equal.
The main difference lies in the speed game, "said DHB sports director Axel Kromer at the break:" That was still a little too little. "
However, Gislason was not disturbed by the four-goal deficit at halftime.
He stayed true to his line, tried a lot and changed over happily.
In defense, the German team stabilized from minute to minute and the veterans Julius Kühn and Häfner now took on more responsibility.
Right winger Timo Kastening also shone with hits from the counterattack - and Germany suddenly led by 32:30 shortly before the end.