After their failure to reach the final, Germany want to go home with a mdeal.
 
Both Germany and Russia have met in the main round before, and that time the Germans beat Russia 27:22.

Russia then lost the semi-final against Norway and Germany lost against Spain.

The current World champions are building up a brand new team after Olympics, and they are satisfied in having reached the semi-final – now a bronze medal would be a bonus.

Germany were very disappointed after the semi-final, because they were the favourites against Spain, but failed to turn the match when Spain took the lead after the break.

“I hope, we are strong enough now to win bronze medal,” German left back Nadine Krause said.“

"We don’t have so much time to prepare for the match – and our heads feel empty after the semi-final.”

A disadvantage for Germany is the fact that the current leader of the EURO topscorer list, Grit Jurack, will not be able to play.

She broke her finger in the semi-final and left FYR Macedonia on Sunday morning, ready for an operation on Monday.

The Russian team started badly against Norway, and – like Germany – could not catch up again.

The bronze final is a re-match of the semi-final of the EURO 2006 in Sweden, that Russia had won.

Germany took the bronze medal at the World championship 2007 in France – and their objective is clear.

“We failed to reach the final, and don’t want to return home without a medal,” player Anna Loerper said.