Gdansk (AP) – Youngster Juri Knorr and veteran goalkeeper Andreas Wolff have vowed to problem German handballers for their first World Cup medal since their gold triumph 16 years in the past.
“We dreamed of this sport,” Knorr mentioned on Wednesday (20:30 / ZDF) forward of the basic towards Olympic champions and file champions France within the quarter-finals. “I can promise that we are going to carry out there once more with a totally totally different vitality. It might seem like a combat, however we have now to play for our lives due to course we wish to undergo.”
On Tuesday morning, after breakfast, the DHB group left Katowice for Krakow, from the place they flew to Gdansk. There, Wolff expects “60 minutes of combat and emotion” within the combat with the six-time world champion.
“Toughest Opponents”
However, this doesn’t hinder Alfred Gislason’s protégés greater than the category of opponents, about whom the nationwide coach assessed: “I feel that is probably the most tough opponent. It’s an important sport to have an opportunity.”
Nevertheless, Wolff & Co. The seventy fifth worldwide towards the Equipe tricolore will likely be seeking to win by all means and gasoline the euphoria at residence with a 12 months to go earlier than the European Championships. “We must be passionate in regards to the sport. We will take our hearts into our fingers and make up for our lack of expertise by preventing towards the French,” Wolff mentioned, insisting: “In a sport like this, you are simply not there. it’s essential to succeed in the restrict, to broaden its borders”.
That was not the case within the 26:28 sport towards Norway within the final main spherical, cheered by almost seven million TV viewers. “It was our weakest sport. In the primary half, the protection was too fluid, within the second half we conceded too many balls,” captain Johannes Golla concluded.
This mustn’t occur once more with a younger and largely inexperienced German team. “I feel it is the best time to fail just a little bit so that you perceive that it isn’t a assured success,” Wolff mentioned. “Now you must wipe your mouth and do higher to win.”
Strong assist Wolf
The 31-12 months-outdated proved to be a robust anchor as soon as once more within the first defeats within the finals in Poland and Sweden, which will likely be vital towards the French, who’ve prime-class gamers comparable to Dika Mem, Kentin Mahe and Nicola. Karabakh. “We are taking part in towards the most effective groups on this planet, so we have now to be extra centered, cheat and chill out. Then we have now an opportunity to win,” Wolff mentioned.
The veteran ought to nail the field, Knorr ought to set the tone on offense. The 22-12 months-outdated has performed nicely in his second World Cup up to now and is a coach and performer in a single. It additionally excites pundits like Markus Baur, who performed Germany on the 2007 World Cup.
“He has a variety of persona. He’s a whole participant who sees quite a bit on the sector and all the time tries to get probably the most out of it. He has a great really feel for conditions. He’s harmful in entrance of objective, determines his sport. He’s centered on the opposition and performs nicely with the realm,” mentioned the 52-12 months-outdated “Handball”. in an interview with “weekly” and Knorr “at world degree”.
Although not shocking to Wolff, the efficiency of the youngest gamers on the team is spectacular. “I’m not shocked by Yuri. He’s proven many instances what nice potential he has. He has what it takes to be nice,” mentioned the headmaster.
Norr thrives
Knorr is the highest German hurler within the event up to now with 37 targets – the enjoyment of the sport is palpable. Her motto is, “I attempt to do my job. When I’m feeling good, after all, I wish to take cost, profit from my recording time, have enjoyable, and simply be myself.”
So far it has been an important success. Knorr’s particular person expertise towards France can even be vital. “It was most likely the largest sport of my profession,” mentioned the Bundesliga membership’s full-again Rein-Neckar Löwen.
From his viewpoint, the truth that Germany will enter the sport as underdogs doesn’t imply that they don’t have an opportunity. “I’m positive we’ll present a unique face and do our greatest. Most of us have not had the prospect to play for medals on the World Cup stage,” Knorr mentioned, promising: “We’ll be there.”
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