Handball World Cup: Germany wins in extra time against Egypt

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Germany's captain Johannes Golla (right) during the game against Egypt

Photo: Jan Woitas / dpa

Germany's handball players saved their chance for fifth place at the World Cup.

The team of national coach Alfred Gíslason beat African champions Egypt 35:34 (30:30, 17:14) after extra time and is now fighting against Norway or Hungary for victory in the placement round.

Against a self-sacrificing Egyptian, Germany played on the last groove.

A ball win by captain Johannes Golla shortly before the end of the extra time put the end to a game that was controlled by Germany at times.

After a ten-minute phase without a goal of their own, Germany completely lost the thread in the final phase, lost an eight-goal lead after 42 minutes and had to go into extra time.

After captain Johannes Golla (7 goals), playmaker Juri Knorr (6) and Julian Köster (6) advanced to the best German throwers in front of 1,604 spectators in Stockholm.

Two days after the quarter-final loss against Olympic champions France (28:35), the team of national coach Alfred Gíslason presented itself as recovered and highly motivated, but the weak phase at the end left many questioning faces.

Man of the match was once again goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, who made 19 saves after 60 minutes.

The decision on Germany's final placement will now be made during the final day on Sunday. Norway or Hungary will be the opponents in the match for fifth place.

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