Handball can be so easy. Pass, throw, goal. The network is expanding. The ball fidgets in the net.
Thrown four times in four minutes Juri Knorr the ball into the French box as if it were the easiest thing in the world. He scored goals 20 to 22 and 24. Germany led 24:19 against the defending champions in the 35th minute, and in the end they defeated France 38:34 (19:15) in the last main round game.
“Actually, I feel like I’ve been ripped off,” said Knorr later, “nothing’s going for three games. Suddenly every ball is in.” It was his ten goals from 14 attempts that were crucial in helping the German national handball team reach the semi-finals on Friday evening (5.45 p.m.) in Herning against Croatia.
Actually, I feel like I’m being fooled. Nothing works for three games. Suddenly every ball is in
Juri Knorr
That the DHB selection You wouldn’t have believed that you would now have the chance to triumph at a European Championship for the first time since 2016 after the preliminary round defeat against Serbia. The historically early end was knocking on the door. Some wild games against Spain, Portugal, Norway and Denmark followed before the Germans shed all shyness and slowed down on Wednesday evening – it was a thrilling duel against the French with the great Dika Mem (11 goals) and the fresh playmaker Aymeric Minne.
Criticism of the coach
Suddenly there were goals after quick counterattacks, goals after quick mid-range, which are much less strenuous than from the effort of positional attack. At the center of all the actions was 25-year-old Knorr. It already seemed as if national coach Alfred Gislason would no longer find room for him in his efforts to achieve defensive stability. Knorr became the benchwarmer of this European Championship – 20 minutes of playing time against Portugal, 17 against Norway, only 10 against Denmark. The latter amounted to humiliation, as Knorr has been playing in Aalborg since the summer of 2025.
The Flensburg native didn’t let himself get stuck, he made tactical announcements during time-outs and created a good atmosphere on the bench. But the central role that he had not only hoped for at this European Championship seemed to be a long way off. He had expected that and at the start of the tournament in one critical reply Gislason’s personnel management also demanded: “We won’t make it if people play through 60 minutes.” Afterwards he judged himself harshly. Was annoyed and at a loss as to why he couldn’t carry Aalborg’s strong league form into the tournament. He found the resurrection against France “almost cheesy”.
Juri Knorr doesn’t like to be the hero. He struggles with his public role: “I seek the spotlight and curse it.” But he has such extraordinary abilities, such a feel for space and time, that he is not just any old backcourt player. Since he has had a reputation as a handball superstar for years, extraordinary things are expected of him. He is a quiet, introverted, reflective guy who tends to think too much rather than too little, as his roommate and friend David Späth reports.
On Wednesday, his father Thomas and his girlfriend Friederike saw him at the height of his creative potential. There were no doubts, there was just timing and momentum. The fact that later missed throws followed was irrelevant. In the end, Germany won convincingly and took a big step in development – finally the pressure of having to win was withstood for more than just one half.
If the game continues against Croatia on Friday, there is no guarantee for the next Knorr show. It is somewhat reassuring that the squad has other candidates ready who could then slip into the main role. Juri Knorr himself also emphasized this versatility.