Germany got off to a good start in the tournament at the European Handball Championships. That was also due to Juri Knorr. The playmaker in the German squad is a key player in the DHB team.
Older German handball fans are currently experiencing a bit of déjà vu. Because just like in the 1990s, they are cheering for a Knorr. But instead of Thomas, it is now his son Juri who wears the national team jersey. When it comes to goals, the junior is undoubtedly following in the senior’s footsteps. After two games at this year’s home European Championship, Juri Knorr has already scored 16 goals. Father Thomas became European Championship top scorer in 1996 with 41 goals – in just 6 games. To date, Knorr is the only German to have scored the most goals at the end of a European Championship.
Juri Knorr has not publicly stated his goal of becoming top scorer at a European Championship. He probably wouldn’t have anything against that, but the 23-year-old’s priority is success with the team. “Of course a medal would be the dream of each of us. Something special can always happen at a home tournament like this, supported by the crowds in the hopefully sold-out halls,” he said in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” in December. “But primarily it should be about arousing enthusiasm, even among those who perhaps don’t watch handball that often.”
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The German national handball team has achieved this so far. 7.6 million people saw the start of the European Championship in Düsseldorf last Wednesday. The second game on Sunday attracted more than 7.3 million despite “Tatort” competition. The euphoria ahead of Tuesday’s top duel against France is growing, but the upcoming opponent is tough.
The top favorite with the “mad bench”
North Macedonia’s national coach Kiril Lazarov, who has already had to play against the Olympic champion, said on Sunday when asked by t-online: “France is one of the best teams in the world. They have perhaps the best players in the world and always play the same, but it’s still very difficult to play against them.”
Germany’s national coach Alfred Gíslason agreed with Lazarov: “We have to play one of our best games in recent years to beat the French. (…) They are the top favorites for the title alongside Denmark. They are extremely good in every area of handball and also have an amazing bench.”
To win against France, Gíslason needs a strong Juri Knorr. The professional from the Rhein-Neckar Löwen is the control center of the German offensive. As the man in the central backcourt, he makes the announcements, directs almost every attack and likes to take responsibility himself. His talent is hard to miss. That’s exactly why national coach Gíslason is particularly critical of Knorr. He knows what’s inside him.
“He told me the same thing in a personal conversation”
After a test match against Iceland before the 2023 World Cup, the 64-year-old criticized on ZDF: “Knorr plays a very good game – for 40 minutes. But he makes incredibly expensive mistakes in attack. He makes many, many technical errors in the final phase .”
Gíslason wants to tickle his protégé, encourage him and develop him so that he becomes the top player he sees in him. This is well received at Knorr. “Alfred is a national coach who is very direct in his approach and in his dealings. I appreciate that, and I would rather have it happen behind my back. What Alfred said on television is what he said to me in person “That’s how our exchange has always been, and that’s what helps me move forward,” said the right-hander to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.