Home European Championships
Knorr with harsh self-criticism: I didn’t give it my all
The European Championship semi-final was not Juri Knorr’s game. After a mixed performance against Denmark, the 23-year-old basically replaced himself. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
Juri Knorr is dissatisfied – especially with himself. After the European Championship defeat against Denmark, the national player finds clear words about his performance.
Germany’s playmaker Juri was completely devastated Knorr the semi-final against Denmark and particularly criticized his own European Championship appearance. “For me it wasn’t about the ultimate success. I just wanted to have this experience and not blame myself afterwards. Unfortunately, I blame myself,” reported the handball national player after the 26:29 and added: “The feeling in “I’m so disappointed not to have given it my all in such a big game. It just hurts not to have given it my all.”
The European Championship semi-final in front of almost 20,000 fans in Cologne’s Lanxess Arena was not Juri Knorr’s game. After a mixed performance against the top Scandinavian team, the 23-year-old essentially replaced himself. “He came out himself and asked for a break. Of course you can tell that he plays a lot. He has to recharge his batteries at some point,” said national coach Alfred Gislason.
Immediately after the final whistle, Knorr crouched on a chair on the sidelines and was comforted by DHB sports director Axel Kromer. “I blame myself for not leaving everything on the plate in one of the biggest games of my career, in which I wanted to have fun and enjoy,” said the backcourt player, who was Germany’s second-best scorer against the team with four goals Danes was.
The fact that the DHB selection achieved great things by reaching the semi-finals at the home European Championship was only a small consolation for Knorr on Friday evening. “I don’t want to be the kind of athlete who is happy when he reaches the semi-finals. I want the greatest thing to come out. I was here to win and would have liked more,” said the Bundesliga professional from the Rhine-Westphalia. Neckar Lions. He didn’t feel any pride on Friday. “But I’ll definitely be motivated again on Sunday,” announced Knorr before the bronze medal match.