Setbacks at the DHB team: Knorr at the doctor, Semper Weg: Handball player with big World Cup worries

The good mood after the sociable team evening and the early move into the World Cup quarter-finals evaporated among the German handball players during the day. According to reports, according to which the sick playmaker Juri Knorr had come to Flensburg for investigations, national coach Alfred Gislason had the next bad news. Backroom player Franz Semper, who only celebrated his debut at this World Cup at 34:27 against Italy, injured himself again.

The DHB did not share any details of the injury. Only that the injury does not make any further use. Semper Weg, Rune Dahmke strongly cold and isolated in a single room and Knorr, according to information from the editorial network Germany with chest pain and breathing problems at the specialist at home. The German World Cup worries with a view of the quarter-finals next Wednesday in Oslo are getting bigger.

“We advise on possible nominations with a view to the overall situation and have no immediate time pressure,” said team manager Benjamin Chatton.

Tunisia no friendly game

A few hours earlier, the safe success of Italy at Gislason’s protégés had made relief. The quarter-finals were reached prematurely, the desire for the knockout phase. “A load falls off your shoulders,” said Julian Köster. The final main round game against Tunisia this Saturday (8.30 p.m./ZDF and Sportdeutschland.tv) can now take a relaxed approach to the second of Olympics.

Or not? For Gislason, it is about maintaining the rhythm of the game – even if the national coach announced a greater rotation. “We want to give one or the other who played a lot and is obviously a bit tired. Let’s see if we succeed,” Gislason revealed his staff plan. Marian Michalczik, who joined the team on Thursday, will be in the squad for the first time.

After the Tunisia game, the DHB team has a three-day break. On Sunday it goes from the secluded Silkeborg to the living Oslo. “A little change of scenery is good for you,” said Lukas Mertens and laughed. Much more variety than the daily walks to the regular café was not possible for the DHB professionals in the tranquil town.

DHB team has to increase

Perhaps the change of location in the DHB team releases new forces. Because five months after the Silver Coup at Olympia, the ranks are far from its medal shape. Against Italy, the defense defended more compact and aggressive, this time Gislason was annoyed by the exploitation of opportunities. So far, the DHB team has not managed to perform well in a game both on the defensive and in attack.

Germany now has time until Wednesday to finally get into the World Cup form. And, to worry about possible migration. Then the opponents are no longer called Tunisia or Italy, but it goes against Spain, Portugal or Sweden. “I hope that a lot falls off in the quarterfinals and the lightness comes back,” said sports director Ingo Meckes.

According to the previous tournament achievements, the DHB team does not go into the knockout game as a favorite. “Of course it would be nicer if you reach the quarter -finals with perfect handball and many clear victories. But I prefer to get there with a lot of hard work than to fall on the snout at some point,” said captain Johannes Golla .

Knorr insert in the quarter-finals extremely questionable

Goalkeeper Wolff saved his team against Switzerland and Italy. Keeper colleague David Späth towered against the Czech Republic. Spielmacher Knorr was also largely convincing – until, like Dahmke, an infection stopped him.

Gislason did not sound optimistic that Knorr is quickly owned again. “I firmly assume that neither of them will play against Tunisia. After that, there are better chances that Rune will come back than Juri,” the Icelander said before Knorr had traveled to Flensburg. Now the prospects for a quarter-finals are still likely to be traveling.

Even without Knorr, Germany has to find its ease and, above all, belief in its own strength. “Sometimes we have to appeal to ourselves and also address that we are a good handball team. We can all play handball very well. You shouldn’t forget that with all self-criticism,” said Golla.