Germany Triumphs Over France 38:34 to Reach Handball EM Semifinals

The German men's handball team secured a thrilling 38:34 victory against France in the quarterfinals of the 2026 European Handball Championship, advancing to the semifinals where they will face Croatia. The match, held on January 28, 2026, was marked by dominant performances, especially from playmaker Juri Knorr, who scored 10 goals and was named the Player of the Match.

Germany started strong, with early goals from Mario Grgić and captain Johannes Golla establishing a lead. Knorr's powerful and accurate shooting helped Germany extend their advantage to 12:8. At halftime, Germany led 19:15, with key contributions from defender Dika Mem, who scored seven goals in the first half. The team's solid defense limited France's scoring opportunities throughout the match.

In the second half, Knorr continued his scoring spree, and goalkeeper Andreas Wolff made crucial saves that helped seal the win. Former national players and commentators praised Knorr's perfect shooting record, with Stefan "Kretzsche" Kretzschmar exclaiming, "Geil, Juri Knorr! Bestes Spiel bei der EM!" The victory was celebrated enthusiastically by fans and commentators alike.

Head coach Alfred Gíslason highlighted the team's resilience and recognized Knorr's breakthrough, calling it his best performance against a top nation. Despite concerns over defense leader Tom Kiesler's illness, the team showed determination and cohesion.

Germany now prepares to face Croatia, a historically tough opponent, but recent wins against them build confidence. Captain Johannes Golla expressed the team's ambition, emphasizing their desire not just to reach the semifinals but to ultimately win the championship.

Juri Knorr reflected on his sudden success after a difficult start, saying, "Sometimes it just happens that every shot goes in." His inspiring performance exemplifies Germany's unexpected journey to this stage after earlier challenges in the tournament.