A blistering second half performance from Germany against the Republic of Korea ensured there would be no repeat of the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 semi-final between the two teams at the same venue in which the Koreans won by one goal.
 
With their nine-goal win, Germany booked their place in the last eight, equalling their rank of 2019.
 
MAIN ROUND GROUP III
Republic of Korea vs Germany 28:37 (16:19)
 
The first half was for fans of centre back play with Korea’s Japan-based player Lee Migyeong and Germany captain Alina Grijseels putting on a fantastic show on court, scoring 10 goals and making 12 assists between them.
 
Both were a joy to watch in a match that Korea coach Jang In-Ik had promised to ihf.info would be a “joy to watch” and which he had also promised would feature a more aggressive defence.
 
And he delivered on those promises immediately as his side lined up at the start in defence, with three defenders almost on the halfway line, forcing an immediate turnover and fast-break goal through Shin Eunjoo.
 
But Jang’s opposite number, Henk Groener, was ready, immediately switching to 7 vs 6 in attack and with his two line players operating, he ensured that defence was consigned.
 
What followed was a masterclass from both Lee and Grijseels – dictating play like a conductor of an orchestra, deciding when and where goals should be scored. A cheeky lob from the penalty line by Lee here, a behind-the-back, no-look assist from Grijseels there.
 
All were worthy of their own clip on Instagram, all were worthy of being used to highlight the beauty of handball to those watching, those coaching and those who want to tell the world what a great sport it is.
 
In touch for most of the half, Korea let it slip just before the break, going in 16:19 down, but the second half would see the game get away from them eventually as Germany stepped up and highlighted their podium credentials.
 
“We had a lot of problems in the first half, we scored a lot of goals but had some problems in defence,” said Germany coach Henk Groener after the game. “Before the game and at half-time we said we have to push and play fast for 60 minutes and we were able to find solutions and made the defence closer.”
 
“It was very intense and we were able to manage this tempo,” said a smiling Meike Schmelzer after the match. “It feels very good to be safe in the quarter-finals.”
 
The quarter-finals are now out of reach for Korea, but they have one game left against Hungary and after five games, they simply ran out of steam.
 
“We played our best but we got tired in the second half,” said coach Jang In-Ik. “We were physically tired and this is the reason why we lost.”
 
“All the games have been physically tough for us,” added Korea player Kim Jinyi. “That’s why we got easily tired and that’s why we made lots of mistakes, especially in the back court.”
 
hummel Player of the Match: Emily Bolk, Germany