DHB playmaker Knorr had to be replaced injured in the first World Cup game. National coach Alfred Gislason is worried.
When he tried to pull inside during an attack in the middle of the second half, the 24-year-old slipped and fell to the ground. Knorr immediately grabbed his knee and felt the joint skeptically. The pace setter in the German backcourt then had to leave the pitch and was treated lying on his stomach next to the substitutes’ bench. Although Knorr was able to move more fluently behind the bench after the treatment, he did not return to the game.
“He said it was just a sprain,” national coach Alfred Gislason gave the all-clear after the game, but also said: “It was a scary moment, but whether he feels better or worse tomorrow, let’s see.”
“It didn’t look good and I think if it’s just a sprain then we’re very lucky,” Gislason continued. A failure of the mastermind in the German game would hurt the team. “Juri is of course an extremely important player for us,” said Gislason.
In addition to his already crucial role in the offense, he has also improved significantly defensively. “He is our number one middle man,” said Gislason. There is a certain breadth in the squad, “but Juri is also difficult for us to replace,” explained the 65-year-old, before then practicing optimism: “I hope for the best that he will be in the next game or the game after that at the latest can play.”
Knorr himself just scurried past the press representatives on the way to the dressing room and announced that he was still expecting treatment before he could say more.