Markus Gaugisch’s Germany opened their 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship campaign in Dortmund as they defeated debutants Faroe Islands 36:26 at the Westfalenhalle in front of over 7,000 passionate handball fans.

Main Round, Group II
Germany vs Faroe Islands 36:26 (20:14)

Germany made it four wins out of four with an effective and surgical dismantling of a determined Faroe Islands in their main round group opener.

The result means the Germans move on to six points and have one foot in the quarter-finals already, while the Faroes are now fighting for their lives to progress through to the last eight, on two points.

Gaugisch brought in line player Marie Steffen to his squad, replacing Jolina Huhnstock in his 18, ahead of this match with centre back Mareike Thomaier giving way for the matchday 16.

Experienced goalkeeper Annika Fridheim Petersen was replaced by the 18-year-old shotstopper Gylta a Neystabo with Faroe Islands coach Claus Mogensen looking to the youngster for their switching ability during their previously-effective 7v6. Left back Marianna Eystberg was replaced by centre back Maria Weyhe too for the Faroes.

With teams exchanging goals early on, neither could get away, with the Germans unable to capitalise on their opponents seeing both Bjarta Johansen and Pernille Brandenborg receive two-minute suspensions inside the first five minutes.

But with the chance to put her side 8:6 ahead just after 12 minutes, Faroes goalkeeper Rakul Wardum missed the full-court open goal, shooting wide with Alina Grijseels, playing in her home club city, earning a subsequent penalty, which captain Antje Doll gleefully converted to bring the score level (7:7, 14th minute).

After this point, the body language of coach Mogensen suggested he knew this was a critical period – his nervousness and worry seeing him give instructions passionately to Suna Hansen on the bench, but this would mark the point at which his side were never ahead again – the energetic and passionate Nieke Kuhne putting Germany 8:7 ahead (15th).

With the score increasing, the Faroes took an 18th minute time out as Neystabo started warming up on the side as she replaced Wardum who had only been able to record one save with her defence facing 11 shots.

This did little to stop the flow, with a 7v6 Faroese attack punished with regularity when breaking down and the passion of the players carrying the team through – best evidenced through Kuhne, who scored a tough breakthrough goal and then sprinted all the way back into defence immediately while tackling Jana Mittun to stop the attack.

And if she did get through, Katharina Filter was there to snuff it out in goal. A six-goal half-time lead (20:14), quickly pushed double-digits with the home side 27:18 ahead and failing to score in two, successive attacks to get the score difference of 10.

Grijseels did finally make it (28:18, 46th minute), and Germany played out the final quarter with changes: left wing Alexia Hauf coming onto court for the first time and goalkeeper Sarah Wachter playing the final quarter too after a brief appearance early on.

The chance to rotate, no injuries and six points in the bag means Gaugisch and his side can look forward to their remaining two games against Montenegro and Spain with a little less pressure, while the Faroes will be hoping to get points against Serbia and their historic rivalry clash against Iceland.

hummel Player of the Match: Antje Doll (Germany)