France-Germany in the quarter-finals of the World Cup this Wednesday (8:30 p.m.).
First real mountain stage towards the stated objective of the Blues: to hang a seventh world star on the jersey, six years after the last.
Voracious, the reigning Olympic champions "
want to win against everyone
", says right-back Dika Mem.
They have therefore made it a point of honor to sign a flawless run so far, with a sixth victory in six games won on Sunday against Spain (28-26).
What the Germans failed to accomplish, defeated by Norway on Monday evening by the same score (26-28).
A match that the French watched with attention…
To discover
The complete schedule and results of the Handball World Cup
The 2023 Handball World Cup rankings
They are therefore moving forward with an extra day of rest, a good dose of confidence despite many injuries since the start of the preparation (Elohim Prandi will he be restored this Wednesday?) and perhaps a small advantage in terms of experience compared to the Mannschaft.
The profile of Germany has indeed changed since the last two matches between the two teams, for the bronze medal of the 2019 World Cup and in the pools at the 2021 Olympics, both won by France.
Exit the left winger Uwe Gensheimer or the backs Steffen Weinhold and Hendrik Pekeler, retired internationals, the elbow room has been left to a new generation led by Juri Knorr.
Knorr serves a (very) good soup to its partners
The 22-year-old Rhein Neckar Löwen centre-half, son of former international Thomas Knorr (who took part in the 1996 Olympics), is according to Kentin Mahé "
the playmaker
" that
Germany was looking for "for years
" to bring him a bit of madness.
Third top scorer in the Bundesliga (and first German), best passer in the World Cup on average (6 assists per game), Knorr, who made his professional debut with FC Barcelona in 2018, at 18, before returning in the country, "
can do almost everything
" according to Mahé.
"
He plays in defense, raises the ball, distributes very well, shoots penalties
" develops the center half of the Blues.
What Vincent Gérard confirms: “
He is a leader who is really exploding at the highest level.
“His sudden shot in support is also formidable, as he showed in the first period against the Norwegians before dropping his foot.
“
He is still young
” blows Mahé.
"
It's up to us to show him that our defense is tougher and better than what (the Germans) were able to meet during this World Cup
" adds the center half.
A very solid goalkeeper, few long distance shooters
Now, if Knorr is the Mannschaft's top scorer (37 goals) since the start of the competition, he is not the only danger.
Quite the contrary.
With 23 goals scored and an excellent 85% success rate in shooting, the pivot Jannik Kohlbacher (27), without being particularly impressive, is remarkably efficient, especially since he knows Knorr perfectly to evolve with him at Rhein-Neckar.
A particularly well provided pivot position with also captain Johannes Golla (25), author of 23 goals.
Also watch the wingers Patrick Groetzki (33 years old, 19 goals) and Lukas Mertens (26 years old, 17 goals) who are both running at more than 80% success.
On the other hand, contrary to its habit, the Mannschaft lacks long distance shooters,
fireworks at nine meters since only Juri Knorr has shot more than ten times at this distance since the start of the World Cup, which is very little.
Finally, as goalkeeper, Andreas Wolff (31) remains a very solid, experienced last bastion, turning at 36% saves.
Nevertheless, like its gondola head Juri Knorr, this Germany, which has not been on any podium since its glorious year 2016 (European champion, third at the Rio Games), seems a bit young, more programmed for Euro 2024 and especially the 2027 World Cup, both at home.
The Blues seem, them, ripe to go back now on the roof of the world, a year and a half after the Olympic gold.
