South Korea's women's handball team, led by head coach Henrik Signel, won 23-22 in the first Group A match of the 2024 Paris Olympics women's handball group stage against Germany at South Paris Arena 6 in Paris, France on the 25th (Korea time). Ryu Eun-hee and Kang Kyung-min each led the team to victory with six points. South Korea will play the second match against Slovenia on the 28th.
사진=Yonhap News
사진=Yonhap News
South Korea competed against Germany three times on the Olympic stage and won all three games. He defeated Barcelona 26-25 in 1992, Atlanta 33-20 in 1996, and Beijing 30-20 in 2008. South Korea and Germany reunited on the Olympic stage for the first time in 16 years.
The game started with South Korea's attack. South Korea opened with a score by Kang Kyung-min. Germany also scored immediately. The two teams exchanged points and clashed tightly. A variable has occurred. It was 19 minutes and 30 seconds in the first half. Han Mi-seul injured his ankle during the ball patrol. He stepped back to the bench with the help of his trainer.
Korea has not faltered. Kang Kyung-min's score widened the score to 11-8. Frustrated, Germany broke the flow by making a series of shooting mistakes. In a chaotic situation, Korea also lost its concentration. Signel called for the operation time to clear up the battle line. South Korea closed the first half with an 11-10 lead.
사진=Yonhap News
At the beginning of the second half, Germany launched a counterattack. Antje Doel's score brought the game back to square one, 11-11. South Korea scored its first goal 5:20 into the second half. Ryu Eun-hee regained the lead with a clean score. However, Germany immediately chased and fought a 12-12 tie. Germany has broken the balance. It gave Antje Dohel a run. Korea tied the score straight away with Kang Eun-hye's score. However, it was not easy to stop the atmosphere in Germany. Germany scored in a row, widening the gap to 16-14.
Signel immediately called the operation time. He encouraged the players, saying, `The difference between the two goals can be quickly followed.' However, it was not easy to break Germany's momentum. South Korea fell behind 14-18.
There was no giving up. 'Ace' Ryu Eun-hee took the lead in the attack. They trailed by a point, 15-18. Jeon Ji-yeon and Kang Kyung-min added points and quickly trailed by 17-18, one point. Now it was Germany that was in a hurry. Germany requested a time of operation.
South Korea succeeded in turning the tables with Kim Da-young's score at 22:53 of the second half. However, Germany was also tied 20-20 due to Myke Schmelcher's score. South Korea has shown its afterthought. In the second half, Kang Kyung-min drew not only 7 meters but also the opponent's two-minute exit. South Korea turned the game around 21-20.
There was a fierce game between the two teams. The bench fight has also intensified. South Korea's concentration was stronger. Kang Kyung-min scored with about 20 seconds left before the end of the game. Germany chased until the end, but South Korea focused until the end and won its first victory.
사진=Yonhap News
사진=Yonhap News
Meanwhile, Korean women's handball is the strongest in the world. He won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in Seoul in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992. In the Olympics alone, he won two gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze medal. South Korea has achieved a great achievement in making the Olympic finals for 11 consecutive times since the 1984 Games. This year's event was also the only ball game in Korea. Reporter Kim Autumn epi17@sportschosun.com
