Austria set up Paris 2024 duel with Germany after seeing off Algeria

These two sides met for the first time in a competitive international and everything was at stake after both had lost their opening games at the Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournament 2 in Germany.

By the final whistle, it was Austria – and Croatia – who were celebrating. The Austrians easily overcoming the 2024 African Championship runners-up and in doing so, confirming the Croatians place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournament 2 – Hanover (Germany)
Algeria vs Austria 26:41 (13:20)

At half-time, Austria’s Lukas Herburger pumped his fist in front of the gathered Austrian fans in the corner of the Zag-Arena, safe in the knowledge that his side had done enough to confirm their first points here in Lower Saxony.

They had entered the break seven ahead (20:13) and little was needed to adjust, in fact Austria coach Ales Pajovic only went to the changing room for a few minutes before returning to the court for the second period, leaving his side to talk amongst themselves.

Algeria’s focus was lost in the closing minutes of the first half as a 3:0 scoring run in the last 75 seconds from Austria extended their lead of four to seven and putting the game to bed – the Algerian body language was plain to see.

As the game already threatened to get away from them, Algeria’s coach Farouk Dehili called a time out at 3:7 down, but with Khalifa Ghedbane – so reliable against Germany in their opener – sitting on zero saves in the first quarter there was little to be done with such a porous defence despite it switching from 6-0 to 5-1, 4-2 and then fully open. Eight turnovers did not help either.

Just shy of the 20-minute mark Redouane Saker caught Eric Dambock and was shown a red card, but then went across the whole court to the Austrian player and apologise, gaining wide applause from all those who had stayed on from the preceding Germany game.

By the 47th minute Austria had increased the difference to 10 and the 51st minute, when Algeria took their second time out, it was 11 (23:34).

The goal chase was on, with Austria knowing the more they scored and less they conceded would potentially overtake Germany – important if they were to draw in their clash on Sunday, just like they did in the EHF EURO in January.

Germany had scored 71, conceding 62, meaning a +9 difference and when Tobias Wagner spun home with less than 30 seconds remaining, they sat on a +10 difference.

However, Rabah Meddahi long-ranger with two seconds remaining, despite the best efforts of the Austrian defence swarming their opponents, ensured that the Europeans ended the second round of games with 70 goals scored and 61 conceded, meaning a goal difference of +9, while Germany also have a +9 difference but having scored one more with 71 and 62 conceded.

In short, Austria need to beat Germany to qualify for Paris.

hummel Player of the Match: Messaoud Berkous (Algeria)