Is he holding it? Marius Noack in the goal of HC Elbflorenz Dresden (Dresden, 2023)
In August 2023 you played in the second team at HC Elbflorenz Dresden Bundesliga, in the Saxon newspaper An article about you was entitled “This is how Dresden’s most extravagant handball player ticks”. How do you get this honor?
Well, that’s what the journalist made of it. The article said things like I have long hair and paint my nails. It doesn’t take much to stand out in this environment.
How did you get into handball?
I grew up in Oberdorla in Thuringia, which is a handball village. There is no football club there. At the age of 14 I moved to the youth team at ThSV Eisenach.
There you later played with the first team in the Bundesliga before moving on to Dresden. After all, you played in Italy for three more months before ending your career at the end of 2024. You were only 25 years old then – what had happened?
A lot of frustration had built up and I no longer wanted to run into the same problems every day. I was hoping things would be a little different in Italy, but they weren’t. Ultimately it was exactly the same as in Germany.
Was do you think?
Numerous discriminatory structures are reproduced in handball. Sexism, racism and homophobia are widespread. Considering how gay people are talked about in the dressing room, you wonder which gay player will ever come out. This culture can have a very negative impact, especially on young people.
Have you identified the problems?
Yes, once I had risen high enough in the internal hierarchy. The hierarchies are very pronounced in team sports. As a younger player I was very reserved. Fellow players could also make fun of this: “Man, Marius, don’t talk so much!”
Once you identified the problems, were you able to influence them?
I certainly wasn’t able to fundamentally change the culture. But I noticed that people around me were becoming a little more cautious. They said things like: “Marius, have I said something wrong again?”
Of course, my actions made me vulnerable and I often had to justify myself. But saying nothing wasn’t an option. And if it bothered people, that ultimately just showed that I was making a difference to them. Maybe then they would at least think a little about what they had said.
Have you become the undesirable moral authority of the group?
I don’t know that. But I saw it as my job to raise awareness of certain topics in the dressing room and to sometimes say something uncomfortable when I thought to myself: “Hey guys, we can’t do that right now!”
I can’t remember anyone who was extremist. The people in the cabin were not misanthropes. But there was just zero sensitivity when it came to certain issues. It was all about saying the sickest thing to get the most attention and look like the coolest guy.
You didn’t think about trying again at another club in Germany?
No. After the attempt in Italy failed, I no longer saw any real options. The handball world is small, and I also experienced a lot outside the boundaries of my own club. The problems I have raised are not limited to one club. And not just in East Germany!
And now? Never again handball?
I really enjoy playing handball. Roter Stern Leipzig has a handball department and I would want to join there. But I don’t live in Leipzig. I could also imagine joining a hobby club. Maybe the culture is the same there, but I would give it a try.
Do you still watch games in the arena?
Yes, I stop by the hall in Dresden every few months.
How is that?
I always think that I would like to be on the field. Of course I also get the trappings, and then I’m happy to be out. However, I am always well received. This applies to former teammates and supervisors as well as club employees and fans. The fans are usually at the club the longest.
I think there is a certain appreciation for me. I was also invited to the “Legends Game” with which the club will celebrate its 20th anniversary on February 14th.
And will you be there then?
Sure, I’m happy about the invitation! I’ve never had a falling out with anyone, I’m not the type of person for that. Rather, I dealt with my inner conflicts.
How has the sport of handball developed during your active time?
The game has become faster, business has become faster. Today, as a goalkeeper, you can score goals when the opponent’s goal is empty, something that wasn’t possible before. In terms of business, players move around much more often, contracts are terminated and so on. It’s heading towards football.
The Men’s Handball European Championship begins this Thursday. Will you be watching the tournament?
I rarely watched handball on television, but I watch the odd game at World and European Championships.
What are the chances of the German team? Two years ago they came fourth at the European Championships in their own country – a bit of a disappointment.
Since the European Championship title in 2016, things haven’t been going well. But I think the team is on the right track. The semi-finals are there. But it will be really difficult against the really big players like Spain, France and Denmark.
Will the future European Championship winner be one of the three?
So I’m settling on Denmark. They are incredibly strong at the moment, no one can keep up with them.
What’s next for you? You have completed your philosophy studies.
I’m now turning to woodworking. After my handball career ended, I realized how satisfying it is to work with my hands.
