Head coach Henk Groener will be happy with the result – a 29:18 victory over Congo – and the continuation of a winning run at the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship (four games) but will be concerned about the drop in performance in a second half against the African side in their first-ever main round game of an IHF Women’s World Championship.

MAIN ROUND GROUP III
Germany vs Congo 29:18 (15:7)

The Palau d’Esports in Granollers will forever hold fond memories for Congo, following their historic victory over Tunisia on Wednesday which saw them qualify through to the main round, but just how far they have to go on the world stage was shown, at least in the first 30 minutes.

Just seven goals were put past Germany’s Katharina Filter, with the European side’s strong defence and quick, smooth and athletic attack causing Younes Tatby’s side all sorts of problems.

A 4:0 run from his opponents confirmed Tatby’s thoughts of taking an early time out (2:7, 14th minute) and his side responded, getting tighter at the back and more decisive in front of goal.

But Germany were in control, led from the back by Luisa Schulze, a dominating figure with laser-sharp focus. By the 20th minute, captain Alina Grijseels (5 goals/5 shots by this time) had earned a rest with her side 12:4 ahead and the watching Korean side – their next opponents – knowing they would have a job on their hands.

However, if the Asian champions had stayed for the second half, they would have seen Germany’s concentration dip as Congo led the scoring in the half, if not the overall score, numerous times throughout.

Despite that lack of focus, no doubt due in part to a full bench rotation from Groener (except for Meike Schmelzer), one of the moments of Spain 2021 happened as Congo’s centre back Fanta Diagouraga spun around on her 7m penalty shot late on and sunk home to enthral the healthy crowd on a Spanish national holiday.

hummel Player of the Match: Fanta Diagouraga, Congo