Overview
- Germany beat Austria 30:27 in Herning to start the European Championship, holding the opponent to eight goals at halftime behind a compact defense.
- Goalkeeper Andreas Wolff posted roughly a 36% save rate and, after taking a ball to the face, returned to deny a late seven-meter that sealed the result.
- Captain Johannes Golla led the scoring with seven goals and anchored the middle block alongside EM debutant Tom Kiesler.
- Coach Alfred Gislason lauded the defensive performance but said the attack, including over- and seven-against-six phases, must improve with Serbia on Saturday and Spain on Monday.
- In a separate development, Germany’s women finished sixth in the Ruhpolding biathlon relay after Franziska Preuß skied a penalty loop, leaving Olympic qualification pressure on athletes such as Selina Grotian.