) in action during the European Men’s Handball Championship semi-final match between Germany and Croatia at the Jyske Bank Boxing. Sina Schuldt/dpa”}
Germany beat Croatia for the first time in seven years in an official men’s handball match on Friday, 31-28 for a place in the final of the European championships.
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Lukas Zerbe led the way with six goals and Andreas Wolff made big saves as Germany started to pull away after the break, leading 26-19 en route to victory.
Germany are in the final for the first time since they won the title in 2016 under coach Dagur Sigurdsson who was the opponent on Friday as Croatia helmsman.
Fellow Icelander Alfred Gislason is now in charge, and he said that “I am proud of the lads to get through a group of death (against France, Denmark, Norway, Portugal and Spain) and then reach the final.”
Germany had not won an official match against Croatia since 2019 but gained confidence by beating them twice in tune-up games for the Euros.
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In the final on Sunday, top favourites Denmark or Iceland will be the opponent. Denmark beat Germany 31-26 earlier in the tournament and were also too strong, 39-26, in the gold medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Germany’s Johannes Golla (R) in action during the European Men’s Handball Championship semi-final match between Germany and Croatia at the Jyske Bank Boxing. Sina Schuldt/dpa
Croatia’s Luka Cindric (C) in action against Germany’s Justus Fischer (L) and Johannes Golla during the European Men’s Handball Championship semi-final match between Germany and Croatia at the Jyske Bank Boxing. Sina Schuldt/dpa