Germany takes Euro handball title in Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
01.02.2016 08:50
Germany has won the EHF 2016 European Men's Handball Championship, defeating Spain 24-17 during Sunday evening's final in Kraków, southern Poland.
German Hendrik Pekeler (C)in action against Spain at Kraków's Tauron Arena, 31 January. PAP/Stanisław Rozpędzik
It is the second time that Germany has won the tournament since 2004. Goalkeeper Andreas Wolff emerged as the side's hero, saving 16 shots on Sunday.
“Wolff was stunning so Spain had no chance,” commented Germany's Carsten Lichtlein.
“From the first minute to the last it was an incredible game,” he said, enthusing that is it “an amazing feeling” to win the title.
Spain's Valero Rivera lamented that “it was a bad day,” adding that his team needs to go back to the drawing board.
“We gave everything but nothing worked,” he said.
German players celebrate victory. Photo: PAP/Stanisław Rozpędzik
Meanwhile, EHF President Jean Brihault reflected that the 2016 tournament had been a resounding success.
“This has been extremely well organised EURO,” he said.
“On the sport level it was an extremely open tournament,” he noted.
“Nobody could have anticipated their team's presence during the final weekend.
“I think this is a very good signal concerning European handball, that we have this renewal of teams.”
Hosts Poland had seemed on course for greater things, finishing seventh overall. The home side looked set to enter the semi-finals, but lost to Croatia in a match in which the Croats needed an 11-goal victory margin to go through. Croatia pulled it off with a 37-23 win.
Besides Kraków, the tournament was also held in Gdańsk, Katowice and Wroclaw. (nh/pk)
Source: pol2016.ehf-euro.com