By America Hernandez
LILLE, France (Reuters) – Germany beat Spain 25-24 in the Olympic men’s handball semi-finals on Friday, earning a spot in the final for the first time since the 2004 Athens Games.
The Rio bronze medallists immediately took control and pulled ahead early, largely thanks to superb blocking by their goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, but their four-point lead evaporated as Spain fought back to level at 12-12 just before halftime.
Spanish left wing Daniel Fernandez poured in five points, and they managed to keep the score tied at 24-24 with four minutes left on the clock.
A final goal by centre back Juri Knorr put Germany ahead, however, and Spain failed to force overtime as Wolff finished with 22 blocks of attempted Spanish shots.
“It was a difficult win because we didn’t have the energy like we had to have it, but we tried to fight and get a flow and a rhythm into the offense … Andy made really great saves, so he carried us in the final game,” right back Renard Uscins told reporters.
It was the fifth time Spain had been eliminated in their Olympic semi-finals.
Slovenia will play undefeated Denmark later on Friday with the winners facing the Germans in the final on Sunday.
(Reporting by America Hernandez, editing by Ed Osmond)
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