A 37:28 victory over the Republic of Korea for Germany on Friday confirmed Henk Groener’s place in the last eight of the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship in Spain to at least equal their eighth-place rank at Japan 2019.

That result, while clear, saw Korea push Germany hard throughout large parts of the game with the German players knowing a quarter-final spot could be confirmed ahead of their tough final main round game against the perfect Danes on Sunday.

“It's the first time since a long time that we made a match where we were a little under pressure,” said German line player Meike Schmelzer to ihf.info. “I'm really happy and really proud of my team, that we could, especially in the second half, cope with the pressure and win.”

With 32 teams from across the world at Spain 2021, Germany found themselves in an unlikely position, playing only European sides in their preliminary Group E – the only group to feature one continent.

“The good thing about handball is that there are so many ways to play it and I really like to play against unconventional things and Asian teams are always a little bit different than the European ones, but that's what the World Championship is about,” said the 28-year-old, who witnessed Korea start with a highly-pressed defence with defenders almost on the halfway line at the beginning of the match and forcing an immediate German turnover.

But Groener, knowing there was something brewing beforehand, immediately adjusted himself and Germany reaped the benefits.

“I don't think it's exhausting [to play against],” added Schmelzer. “We are professional athletes and that's what we want. We were prepared and you saw that we went to seven against six, which is a good solution against these offensive defences. 

“We prepared for a lot of things and some of them we saw [against Korea] and some we didn't, but I think we had a good match plan and, in the end, we could win. I'm very happy. It's a good thing to keep these little tactics and to be a little bit cheeky maybe.”

Star of the show for Germany was captain Alina Grijseels who scored eight goals and delivered 11 assists, the beating heart of the athletic and smooth Germany side.

“She's a great personality,” says Schmelzer, who plays for CS Gloria 2018 Bistrita Nasaud in Romania, with a smile. “She's pretty young, but she's a cool head. She's able to manage everything, to bring tactics on and to be a real captain. She does a really, really good job and you saw that what she's capable of [against Korea].”

“I try to bring all my emotions onto the court,” added Schmelzer when asked if she has a leadership role in the team as one of the more experienced players. “For this tournament, that works pretty well, but we have several players who are bringing emotions, who are bringing this cool head, which we also need when it's very emotional outside.

“We have a good mix in our team with our two captains Alina (Grijseels) and Emily Bolk, they are the ones who are leading us but we (also) have Xenia Smits and maybe also me in this tournament, who are trying to figure out what it is what the team needs and then bringing it on.

“I have more experience and my role in the team now is a little bit bigger than the years before, but I could grow and, maybe, [now] is the best time to bring my performance like this.”

Next up for Germany are Denmark as the two teams, both already qualified for the quarter-finals, look to finish top of their group.

“I have to say that Denmark is playing really, really well. They have a good back line, good line players and good goalkeepers, so what should I say?” laughs the 1.80m tall player. “It will be a very intense and tough match and we have to be focused as good as possible. We have to play the defence like we did in the last matches, but maybe we can try to put them a little under pressure.”

“I'm proud to be part of this team,” she adds, looking at her teammates beside her in the Mixed Zone, lining up for the German media.

“A lot of people are seeing that we are giving all our hearts, all our passion on this court and we play really good. I hope that we can follow this way for a little more and do everything for the quarter-finals.”