German Women's Handball Team Reaches World Championship Semifinals After 17 Years

The German women's national handball team achieved a historic milestone by reaching the semifinals at the 2025 World Championship held at home. On December 9, 2025, they defeated Brazil 30:23 in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,522 in Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle, marking their first semi-final appearance in 17 years.

Emily Vogel, the team's standout player, scored five goals and was visibly moved to tears on the court. Vogel reflected on her challenging year, which included losing her captaincy amid prior disappointing performances at the Olympics and European Championships. Her emotional comeback in April 2025 has culminated in this triumphant moment. She emphasized the team's dominance and expressed optimism about securing a medal, something Germany has not accomplished since 2007.

Behind the scenes, the team’s success is supported by advanced technology. Players wear GPS vests that track every sprint, acceleration, jump, and throw, providing real-time data to coaches. Dr. Simon Overkamp, athletic coach for all national teams since 2023, integrates this data with player well-being metrics gathered through an app that monitors sleep, muscle soreness, and fatigue. This comprehensive approach allows precise adjustment of training loads, injury prevention, and strategy optimization.

Vogel also credits personal happiness as a source of strength, having recently married Hungarian water polo player Simon Vogel. With the strong blend of emotional resilience and high-tech preparation, the German team is aiming to restore their prominence on the international handball stage.