2024 Paris Olympics: Watch Germany's unbelievable buzzer-beating handball goal in thrilling victory
Germany forced overtime, and then sealed the victory, with last-second points over the host country
Germany is moving on to the semifinals in men's handball at the Paris Games thanks to a wild and thrilling ending to its match against France. Germany won the quarterfinal match 35-34 after scoring a last-second point to force overtime, and another last-second point — and a save — to win the game.
ASTONISHING HANDBALL DRAMA. 😱
Germany scores a miraculous buzzer-beating goal in the final seconds, then wins it in overtime against France to advance to the semifinal! #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/c3tK1agci6— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 7, 2024
France made a couple of crucial turnovers in those final seconds. As a result, the Olympic hosts will not advance in the popular European sport.
France was up 17-14 at halftime, and led by as many as six points during the second half before Germany began creeping back. With less than 15 minutes remaining, the two teams tied and then traded leads before France pulled took a two-point advantage with less than a minute remaining.
Germany then scored, and took advantage of a crucial France turnover to score a tying goal in the final second. Germany's Renars Uscins, assisted by Julian Koester, scored that point to tie the game at 29 and force overtime.
The two teams then moved into a 10-minute overtime, where the game was close once again. With less than 15 seconds remaining, and the teams tied 34-34, Uscins came up clutch again and scored the winning goal, but France returned quickly on the fast break for a chance to tie.
In the final seconds, France's last-ditch effort to keep the game going was miraculously saved by German goalkeeper David Spaeth.
Germany's series of miracles will send the team to the semifinals, where they will face Spain for a chance to play for gold.