Julian Köster and Juri Knorr are two of the most important players on Germany’s national handball team heading into the European Championship in January 2026. But above all, they represent the future of German handball. Both are only 25 years old and have the potential to shape the sport for years to come. Their paths began in similar ways, later developed very differently, yet ultimately brought them back together with a shared goal: the European Championship. A portrait of two true characters and role models.

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Julian Köster has been playing for five years in the quiet Bergisches Land region, with the traditional club VfL Gummersbach, a twelve-time national champion. Today, his club plays only a minor role among the financially powerful giants of the sport. Their mid-table position in the Bundesliga is due in large part to Köster, one of the few players performing at a world-class level. Next season, he will join record champions THW Kiel. But Köster impresses not only on the court—he is articulate, courteous, and consistently involved in social causes.

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Juri Knorr was born in the handball stronghold of Flensburg. As a professional, he was drawn to major clubs and won the German championship with Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Ahead of the current season, he moved to the Danish champions Aalborg Handball. Knorr is thoughtful and speaks openly about pressure and responsibility. The national team coach already describes him as irreplaceable.

Stream it here on ZDF.