A surprisingly open and entertaining group A clash went right down to the wire as Germany managed a 33:31 win over Spain to lead the group on Friday afternoon.
Spain vs Germany had the potential to be a low-scoring bundle of nerves but the opposite was true in the first half as these two group A contenders treated us to a feast with 38 goals, garnished with a sprinkling of turnovers.
It was a dynamic contest where neither side was afraid to adapt and react to each other’s approach, doing what they felt was needed to grind out an important win.
Nevertheless, I would have hated to be a fan of either of these teams as they consistently flip-flopped from brilliant in attack one moment to dropping a turnover the next. The keepers would make two big saves on the trot, only to disappear for the next five minutes.
As the game wore on, both teams had their purple patches, enjoying extended periods of dominance, yet the lead only changed five times and nobody held an advantage of more than three goals.
New generation takes the reins
Two men who would not have been top of most German fans’ list of potential heroes back in January were David Späth and Renārs Uščins. But they have elevated themselves to potential leaders in recent months and this afternoon they delivered on that potential.
Späth came in as a 12th-minute substitute in goal but it was only in the second half when he began to dominate, delivering point-blank saves to keep the Germans in the contest when nothing else was working.
Down the other end, Uščins was balling in the right back position with 8 goals and 7 assists, together with the spine of the attack in Juri Knorr and Johannes Golla.
The last swing in momentum looked like it had gone Germany’s way but you can never count Spain out in these situations. They manufactured one last chance to snatch a draw, laying the ball out to Aleix Gomez, who had already fired in 10 goals but there would not be an 11th. Späth held his ground and kept the shot out for his 13th and decisive save.
Germany are through to the quarter-finals with this win, Spain will have to scrap it out with Croatia on Sunday to join them.