A method for continuous casting from molten metal, where metal flows vertically downward from a mold and the metal strip is then guided vertically downward along a vertical strand guide, cooling as it moves. The strip is then deflected from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. In the terminal area of the deflection of the strip into the horizontal direction or after the deflection into the horizontal direction, a mechanical deformation of the strip is carried out. The strip is cooled at a heat-transfer coefficient of 3,000 to 10,000 W/(m2 K) in a first section downstream of the mold and upstream of the mechanical deformation of the strip. In a second section, downstream of the cooling, the surface of the strip is heated to a temperature above Ac3 or Ar3 by heat equalization in the strip, after which the mechanical deformation is carried out in a third section.