Overview

• Germany's Handball World Championship campaign ended with a 30:31 loss to Portugal in the quarterfinals, failing to meet their goal of reaching the semifinals.
• The team struggled with slow starts throughout the tournament, often falling behind early and expending significant energy to recover, including in the decisive match against Portugal.
• Key players faced challenges such as injuries, illness, and exhaustion, with standout performances from goalkeeper Andreas Wolff unable to compensate for broader team issues.
• Criticism has been directed at coach Alfred Gislason for tactical shortcomings, inconsistent rotations, and reliance on overburdened players, though he plans to continue leading the team through upcoming tournaments.
• Despite the disappointing finish, the team remains optimistic about future growth, with the European Championship in 2026 and the 2027 home World Championship as focal points for development.