Abstract: Molten steel is poured into a water cooled continuous casting mold in which the steel solidifies partially with the formation of a strand having a length and a peripheral shell. The strand has a cross-sectional surface area with one of a round shape, an oval shape and a polygonal shape having more than four sides. Additionally, the strand has a minimum circumference of 200 mm. The cross-sectional surface area of the strand leaving the mold is then reduced using rolls before the strand fully solidifies. The reducing includes deforming the strand into a polygonal shape having at least four corners while maintaining the circumference as well as the length of the strand at the peripheral shell constant.