The European Championship 2018 could have run better for the German team. But all too often it ran, as in the last ten seconds of the final round match against Macedonia. At the score of 25:25, goalkeeper Silvio Heinevetter initially stopped, then coach Christian Prokop interrupted the direct counterattack. Out.

Prokop tried to give his team a tactic for the last move. For the most part, the players did not listen to him. Instead, Steffen Weinhold and Philipp Weber spoke to each other, played each other after re-whistle the ball. When they fit him late to right winger Patrick Groetzki, this got into a direct duel. Final whistle. Germany missed the victory.

Already a year ago Prokop had precise ideas about how his team has to play. But they were not shared by every player one hundred percent. After the European Championship he has adapted his game. Now it seems that coaches and players have found a common system - and everyone is behind it.

Prokop's moving bulwark

Especially the German defensive has played out, it gives the team more stability. In the friendly game against Argentina, the DHB selection got only 13 goals. A big factor: Finn Lemke. The backcourt player had been sorted out before the European Championship 2018. Above all, this decision had been blamed on Prokop.

That's the DHB squad

Andreas Wolff, Goalkeeper, THW Kiel (Internationals: 72 / international goals: 9) * As of December 13, 2018

Silvio Heinevetter, Goalkeeper, Füchse Berlin (Internationals: 178 / Internationals Goals: 2)

Uwe Gensheimer, Left Wing, Paris St. Germain (Internationals: 158 / Internationals: 733)

Matthias Musche, Left Wing, SC Magdeburg (Internationals: 29 / international goals: 51)

Finn Lemke, Back space left, MT Melsungen (Internationals: 66 / international goals: 24)

Fabian Böhm, Back space left, TSV Hannover-Burgdorf (Internationals: 13 / international goals: 18)

Steffen Fäth, Rückraum links, Rhein-Neckar Löwen (International: 65 / international goals: 137)

Paul Drux, Rückraum Mitte, Füchse Berlin (Internationals: 64 / international goals: 125)

Martin Strobel, Rückraum Mitte, HBW Balingen-Weilstetten (Internationals: 138 / international goals: 156)

Fabian Wiede, right back area, Füchse Berlin (Internationals: 63 / international goals: 119)

Steffen Weinhold, Rückraum right, THW Kiel (Internationals: 112 / international goals: 280)

Franz Semper, Right Backcourt, SC DHfK Leipzig (Internationals: 3 / Internationals: 9)

Patrick Groetzki, right winger, Rhein-Neckar Löwen (International: 131 / international goals: 350)

Patrick Wiencek, Kreisläufer, THW Kiel (Internationals: 121 / international goals: 274)

Hendrik Pekeler, circle runner, THW Kiel (Internationals: 82 / international goals: 129)

Jannik Kohlbacher, Kreisläufer, Rhein-Neckar Löwen (International: 48 / international goals: 92)

Since then Lemke plays again an important role in a team that works mainly with two defense systems. On the one hand with an agile 6: 0 defense, who works with a lot of running work against the ball. For inferior teams, the inside block is often able to provide a block on which the goalkeepers can rely, given the size and physicality of the defenders. On the other hand, the team acts in a 3-2-1 system to provoke technical errors and early conclusions of the opponent to provoke.

Against teams with good distance shooters, the defensive formation takes a step out. Against teams who play a lot about the circle, they move back further - or pretend a step forward to close pass paths and maybe even intercept passports.

Variability by three rotors

The staffing of the defensive is also a major reason why Hendrik Pekeler, Patrick Wiencek and Jannik Kohlbacher were nominated three runners, while Groetzki is the only right-wing player in the squad. The non-nomination of Tobias Reichmann aroused at first memories of the degradation of Lemke, but makes perfect sense.

Wiencek and Pekeler defensively play the inside block, Kohlbacher the half position. Distributing forces in this constellation makes sense. Especially if the players have to go many ways on the offensive.

The runners could also play on the right wing to relieve Groetzki. Although are in Fabian Wiede, Weinhold and the young Franz Semper three right back space player in the squad. A runner on the outside position could make the German game even more variable.

Getty Images

Patrick Wiencek (l.) And Hendrik Pekeler (r.)

Against offensive opponents, the massive circling runners can control the transitions on the right-hand side, so that corresponding gaps are torn for the back space players. Against defensive defenses, however, a back space player could play on right-winger, there to block times a half-back away.

About switching situations to fast gates

In order to be dangerous for teams like Favorit Denmark, a strong defense is not enough. The team must play disciplined to the point. A real offensive star in the back room is missing the team. The individual class is high compared to many other teams, but not the best in the world, such as Denmark with Mikkel Hansen.

If you manage to consistently tackle your opponent's attacking side after quick change situations after opposing deals, this is the most promising way. Offensively, the team must work together and develop gaps as a team. The defense can become a big asset in the course of the tournament. The German defense is the real star of this team.