Croatia 31-28 » With emotions, but success! The Germans are the first finalists of the European Championship
Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Friday, January 30, 2026 8:19 p.m. / Updated Friday, January 30, 2026 8:58 p.m.
Germany is the first finalist of the European Men's Handball Championship, after 31-28 against Croatia in the semi-finals.
Germany had qualified for the aces in the very last main group match, an all-or-nothing affair against France, with the winner advancing.
Heavy favorites today, the team coached by Alfred Gislasson needed some time to get into the right gear. The first half was balanced – until the 26th minute, neither team had more than a one-goal lead. The breakaway was successful at the end of the first part, entering the cabins with two goals in front.
The second half started with a goal by the Croatians, scored by Mandic in the 32nd minute. It was the moment that triggered the German rush.
Germany scored 5 goals in a row, the Croatians had a 7 minute drought. The Germans remained in control, they were 7 goals apart, so the emotions at the end were somewhat surprising.
Emotions because the opponent had come close to two goals with two minutes left on the clock. But the Germans managed the end of the match excellently and thus qualified for the final of the competition, going on to fight for their third continental title, after those of 2004 and 2016.
For Croatia, this year's course can be marked as a success, considering that in the previous two editions of the European, it did not pass the main group.
6 goalsLukas Zerbe, Germany's top scorer, scored today. A Croatian, Tin Lucin, also scored 6 times
FINAL » Germany – Croatia 31-28
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Min. 52 – The Croatians narrowed the score to a difference of 4 goals, 23-27.
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Min. 38 – Germany broke away, scored 6 times in a row and took the score from 17-16 in the 32nd minute to 23-16 now!
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Min. 33 – First time we've seen a 3 goal difference in this match: Johannes Golla converted the scoreboard, now 19-16 for Germany.
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Time 19:37 – The second half has started.
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Min. 30 – The Croatians miss the throw in the final seconds, Andreas Wolff blocking Lucin. Immediately, the German goalkeeper tried the opposite goal, empty, but sent just wide! 17-15 at halftime. The Croatians threw more, 28-25, but the efficiency of the Germans was clearly superior.
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Min. 26 – The first time we see a difference of two goals, in favor of Germany, after Zerbe's goal.
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So far, the number 1 scorer is Croatia's Ivan Martinovic, 5 goals from 8 shots.
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Min. 22 – Balanced semi-final, no team has led by two goals so far! 12-12 now.
