"You have to chase the ball like a tiger"

Both are at home in a central position and both are regarded as strategists on the pitch. But Juri Knorr and Anton Stach had never met in person before. The outstanding Rhein-Neckar Löwen handball player and the two-time international on the books at TSG Hoffenheim met at the new City Store, the point of contact for all sports lovers and those who want to become one, which opened permanently at the beginning of April. There were also 15 lucky winners who had won the chance to attend through the TSG, Löwen and RNZ social media channels.

The conversation was about the two different sports, but also about the pressure of professional sport in general and sporting dreams. "Pressure is certainly always there. Athletes deal with it very differently because it's very individual," said Stach, adding: "If – as is the case for us this season – you can't achieve your actual objectives, you have to set yourself new objectives so that you have something to aim for. I think that's very important." Handballer Knorr thinks along the same lines: "A season or even a career comes in waves. The more experience you have, the better you know how to deal with that. You play in front of thousands of spectators and have to deal with the fact that all eyes are watching you."

The fact the duo both play in the middle is not the only thing they have in common; they also have a family background in professional sports. Knorr's father Thomas was an international handball player himself. Stach's father Matthias is a TV commentator and his two sisters play in the Basketball Bundesliga. Are there ever any topics other than sport at the family dinner table? "I talk a lot about handball with my father, but I'm glad that my girlfriend, for example, doesn't have much to do with sport. That creates a contrast, a good balance," said Olympic silver medal winner Knorr, a sentiment echoed by his footballing counterpart Stach. "I talk to my father at length about my performance after matches, which has always helped me a lot," said the Hoffenheim player, adding: "My mother is the antithesis of that. She tells me that I have to chase the ball like a tiger. That has nothing to do with tactics and is actually a nice approach." A human side to the often tough professional sports business that was well received by the audience.

After the interview, the players spent plenty of time with the 15 winners and fulfilled every autograph and selfie request.