Recently there was great praise for Juri Knorr from Mathias Gidsel, the world handball player. As a Dane, Gidsel of course notices how the German international Knorr is doing in the Danish league after his move from the Bundesliga to the top club Aalborg Handbold, and one thing particularly impressed Gidsel: “They say he is learning Danish, and very quickly.” The language is not easy, but “if you can do it, you are on the right track in Denmark”.
No, Danish really isn’t easy, it’s a cross with all the soft vowels, silent letters and glottal sounds. But it is “extremely important” to Knorr that he can communicate confidently in the new language in a timely manner. He takes lessons and also studies on his own. In the handball context, communication works well; It becomes more difficult when the Scandinavians chatter quickly at one another in the dressing room.
:The new Juri Knorr
A year ago, Juri Knorr threatened to collapse under the weight of responsibility in the national handball team. Now he takes things more relaxed – which is also due to a teammate.
“I have to be patient,” says Knorr. He already notices how the language barrier hinders him in social life: “You can’t really show who you are and what character you have if you don’t speak the language,” he says. A typical Knorr. The middle man moved to the country of the current world champion and Olympic champion primarily to play handball, but he thinks a lot about life in general.
The start of the new phase of his career hasn’t been easy for Knorr since he said goodbye to the Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the summer after four years. The 25-year-old not only left his comfort zone, Knorr initially suffered from a foot injury and had to acclimatise to Aalborg’s playing system alongside big names like Sander Sagosen and Niklas Landin. But in recent weeks, Knorr’s name has appeared more and more frequently in the top scorer lists. He gets more of the game and takes on responsibility. It’s running now.
The German handball players will play against Iceland on Thursday and Sunday
When Knorr sits down at the media talk on his first return to the German national team, he looks satisfied. The DHB team will meet for two international matches against Iceland this week, on Thursday evening in Nuremberg (PSD Bank Arena, 7.30 p.m., ZDF livestream) and on Sunday in Munich (SAP Garden, 5.15 p.m., ZDF). These are the last two test matches before the immediate preparation for the European Handball Championships in January in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and Knorr is happy to be in the familiar circle of colleagues. “I was really happy to see a lot of familiar faces,” says Knorr, with whom he can also easily chat. He can “fully participate in social interaction,” says Knorr. That’s good for him after the months in Denmark.
Knorr is the only so-called legionnaire of German handball players, all other players are active in the Bundesliga. For national team manager Benjamin Chatton, it is absolutely positive that “Juri is coming to us with a different wealth of experience.” This could only help the team, especially in Knorr’s position as game director. National coach Alfred Gislason is also keeping a close eye on how Knorr is doing in Denmark. The Icelander knows how important Knorr is for the national team and that it will be extremely difficult to defeat a top European team if Knorr is not in shape. But Gislason feels little reason to worry. “Juri makes a very good impression,” he says.
Knorr is already playing his 80th international match against Iceland
Around Knorr, Gislason has the tried and tested core of the national team together. There are the two goalkeepers Andreas Wolff and David Späth, captain Johannes Golla is set, as are the backcourt players Julian Köster and Marko Grgic, and Renars Uscins has recovered from his arm injury from the Bundesliga. Centerman Justus Fischer (who will be missing against Iceland due to illness) and center Nils Lichtlein are also now part of the establishment. There are minor question marks in the right backcourt and in the outside positions. But otherwise? If a large number of players remain healthy, Gislason will refrain from major experiments when announcing the squad.
“We have a very good team,” says Knorr. The team is still young, but already has a certain amount of experience. It won silver at the Olympics in Paris. At the European Championships in January, which the German team will complete entirely in Herning, Denmark, Knorr will certainly have an insider role. He sees the German team in the role of pursuer – but he feels comfortable in this role.
Until then it’s time to learn Danish. And stay healthy. When Knorr receives the information that he will be playing his 80th international match for Germany on Thursday against Iceland, a brief smile flashes across his face. 80 international matches, not bad for a man of 25 years. In the past, Knorr often had problems with his performances, but now he says he can be “pretty satisfied and happy” with how things have gone over the past five years. He probably still has his best days as a handball player ahead of him. His best conversations in Danish too.