January 21, 2019 - The Croatia handball team and Germany met for the second game of the World Handball Championship's main round on Monday in Cologne.
After Croatia’s disappointing loss to Brazil on Sunday, Croatia and Germany met on Monday for their second of three games in the main round of the World Handball Championship. Croatia needed to play much better and have luck on their side to ensure they’d pass into the semifinal of the competition.
Croatia started with the attack and Karačić was the first to score in the game for 1:0. Germany’s first attack was unlucky and Croatia was able to intercept the ball for a counterattack - Stepančić scored for 2:0.
Croatia achieved another brilliant counter-attack in the 6th minute and Mandić scored for the 3:1 lead. In the 7th minute, Stepančić was fouled, giving Germany a two-minute suspension. Horvat took the 7-meter throw and missed.
The German team suffered a severe injury in the 7th minute which forced Strobel off the court in a stretcher, and Germany equalized at 3:3.
In the 9th minute, Germany took the lead for 3:4, but Musa was quick to bring Croatia back for 4:4.
Croatia was given a 7-meter throw in the 11th minute - Karačić stepped up this time and scored for 5:4 Croatia. Karačić scored again in the 12th minute for 6:4!
Germany was able to equalize for 6:6 in the 14th minute. Musa put Croatia back in the lead in the 15th for 7:6. Germany equalized in the 16th.
Croatia lost the ball in the 20th and Germany had a one-on-one with Šego to take the lead - 7:8.
Croatia’s captain Duvnjak hit a rocket (108 kph) in the 23rd minute to equalize for 8:8. Germany was given a 7-meter shot shortly after and retook the lead for 8:9. Germany scored again in an empty goal in the 25th for 8:10.
With three minutes to go, Duvnjak scored for 9:10, and Croatia was up by two players. Horvat scored in the 28th for 10:10! Karačić continued his scoring streak and put Croatia back in the lead with a minute to go in the first half - 11:10 Croatia!
Germany equalized seconds later for a draw at the half (11:11).
Germany scored first to open the second half, and Musa was given a two-minute suspension - 11:12 Germany.
Štrlek scored for Croatia in the 31st for 12:12. While the game went a while without a goal, it was Štrlek to score again in the 38th minute to equalize 13:13.
Germany was up by two points in the 40th minute.
Stepančić scored a brilliant goal in the 41st minute for 14:15. Štrlek kept Croatia to behind by just one in the 43rd minute for 15:16.
Croatia decreased their lead to -2 in the 48th minute - and it was 16:18 for Germany.
Šego made incredible saves in goal to keep Croatia alive, and Šipić brought Croatia to -1 in the 49th minute (17:18). The pressure was on, and it was Šipić to score again for the equalizer! It was 18:18 with eight minutes to go.
Vranković put Croatia back in the lead with a rocket with 6 minutes to go - 19:18 Croatia!
Germany equalized in the 55th for 19:19.
Šipić to save the day - 20:19 Croatia in the 56th! With two to go, Croatia was down 20:21.
An offensive foul called on Croatia gave Germany the attack. Germany came back to score for 20:22 - and Horvat scored for 21:22 with 30 seconds to go.
Croatia was not able to come back, and it was Germany to win 21:22.
Croatia will play France in their final game of the main round on Wednesday. They have no chance for a medal.
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