Licking wounds after the collapse of EM: the reasons for the total failure of the handball team

The German has been one of the five best goalkeepers in the world for years. Against Switzerland, Andreas Wolff (32) proves why once again. He saves 60 percent of Switzerland’s shots on target. Defense figures of 35 percent and more are world class. Everyone can choose their own superlative for Wolff’s performance against Switzerland. And Wolff contaminates his teammates with his performance. “He makes two or three good saves right at the beginning and takes the Germans’ nerves out of the match,” praises Swiss Andy Schmid (40).

The largest handball festival in history between Switzerland and Germany

Whether it is Andy Schmid, Lenny Rubin, Nicoals Raemy or Manuel Zehnder: the Swiss defensive players get stuck time and time again in the well-organized German 6-0 defense. Without winning duels, a second defender can never be tied down and gaps are created for teammates. This leaves only throws from the second row, which are a hit for Wolff.

If you don’t win duels, you have to find playful solutions. The Swiss are unable to do this, partly because Germany is preparing very well, especially for the actions of director Schmid. You look in vain for alternatives. The variant with an extra field player is only tried briefly and then rejected. The wings and the pace play after saves from Nikola Portner play no role at all. But of course: with so many technical errors as in the second half, it becomes pointless to talk about tactical matters.

The Germans did their best to convince the Swiss team in advance. And if everything comes together for the national team, they can beat Germany on the famous day. Normally there is a class difference between the two teams, which was also the case on Wednesday. Schmid sums it up: “We clearly showed that they are better than us in terms of dynamics, speed, cleverness and strength.”