Juri Knorr had an eventful year. Is he ready for the Handball World Cup?

Juri Knorr stands with his head hanging in front of the journalists’ cameras and microphones. He tries to find the right words for what just happened. But he seems absent, his thoughts elsewhere. “I blame myself,” complains the handball star. He claims he didn’t leave everything on the record.

That was a year ago, in January 2024, when the DHB selection had to admit defeat to the Croatians in the last main round game at the home European Championship. The scene off the field is exemplary of Knorr’s nature: he judges himself harshly and is his own biggest critic. However, he regularly receives support from teammates and national coach Alfred Gislason. “He gets a lot of pressure from the public,” says Gislason about the Flensburg native.

At major tournaments in recent years all eyes have been on Juri Knorr. This brilliant playmaker who can take control of a game and decide it. The 24-year-old is still one of the young players, but his protection has long since been lifted. Because with outstanding performance came great responsibility. Fans, coaches and team will once again have their hopes in him at this handball world championship.

Juri Knorr’s job is to think about things. In his position, back center, he is the thinker and leader in the game. In the national team as well as at his club, the Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Sometimes, like at the home European Championships, Knorr thinks too much after a game. He is an overthinker, as they say in modern German.

Anyone who watches Knorr play handball will find it difficult to believe that. On record it usually seems as if this man has no nerves at all. Humorless shot throws, precise seven-meter throws, brilliant no-look passes – he practically pulls them off his sleeve. His playing style is unique. Knorr once said about himself that his willingness to take risks sets him apart from others. The son of former national player Thomas Knorr was considered the greatest talent in German handball early on and has been wearing the DHB jersey since 2020, like his father used to.

Since then, Juri Knorr has also been accompanied by expectations. “It’s not always easy to deal with the pressure. But on the other hand, that’s what you want as a professional athlete: I want to get to the top and then that’s part of it,” revealed Knorr in an interview with “”. “I’m not the type of person who likes to be in the spotlight.”

When the spotlight becomes too bright for him, he withdraws. Knorr is considered a down-to-earth guy who places a lot of value on family and private life. The quiet handball player rarely reveals anything about this. What is known, however, is that he lives with his girlfriend and dog, as can be seen in an Instagram post after his move to the Rhein-Neckar Löwen.

And the next change is coming soon. Knorr will leave the handball Bundesliga in the summer and join the Danish top club Aalborg. The club and the 24-year-old announced this in September. A lot going on with the quiet star player.

In general, Juri Knorr has had an eventful year with ups and downs. Fourth place at the home European Championships was followed by a miserable end to the season with the Lions (12th place). At the Olympic Games in Paris, Knorr and the DHB team caused a sensation and sensationally won the silver medal. Things are going a little better for his club in the current season (currently 7th place), but Knorr was set back in October by a broken thumb and was out for weeks.

He has now recovered from the injury. Although Knorr was absent from the Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the last two games of the year due to illness, he reported fit just in time for the Handball World Cup. National coach Gislason and the German players should be relieved because the playmaker will again play a central role at the DHB, especially in attack. There is no doubt about his abilities. At most they come from Knorr himself when he struggles with himself again.