GER-TUR | IKF #U21 WKC 2026

8/8/2026 – # Türkiye hold off Germany comeback to claim opening-day win

Türkiye U21 opened their IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 15–13 victory over Germany U21 in Nilai on Saturday evening.

The match was closely contested from the opening exchanges. Germany struck first through Peter Schödder, but Türkiye quickly responded and edged ahead 5–3 before Germany’s Alina Nick reduced the deficit to one at the end of the opening quarter. Germany then levelled at 5–5 early in the second period, only for Türkiye to regain control with four unanswered goals. A penalty from Eylem Özel gave Türkiye a 9–6 lead at half-time.

Türkiye continued to apply pressure after the interval, with Yağız Öztürk and Erva Duman particularly influential. Duman’s fourth goal of the match helped restore a five-goal advantage at 13–8, before Germany finished the third quarter strongly to cut the gap to 10–13.

The final period produced a tense finish. Germany’s Alex Eric Osladil and substitute Niklas Vince Tutt brought their team within one at 12–13, and Alina Nick’s third goal made it 13–14 with four minutes remaining. Türkiye, however, stayed composed under pressure. Öztürk found the basket again in the 38th minute to complete his four-goal performance and seal a 15–13 victory.

Duman and Öztürk led Türkiye’s scoring with four goals apiece, while Germany’s Nick and Fjodor van Hees each finished with three. Türkiye’s ability to create separation in the second and third quarters ultimately proved decisive, while Germany showed considerable resilience to turn a five-goal deficit into a one-goal game late on.

The result gives Türkiye an important opening win in Pool D, while Germany will look to respond in their next group match.