Kretzsche: The Handball Punk

“Kretzsche: The Handball Punk” tells the story of one of the most naturally gifted players handball has ever seen — and one of the biggest characters.

Friends, family and Stefan Kretzschmar himself talk about the past, present and future. From his first steps in handball at Gummersbach, to winning the EHF Champions League Men title and the Bundesliga with SC Magdeburg, Kretzschmar was always the main focus of the teams for which he played, creating magic out of thin air. But the tumultuous life Kretzschmar lived took his toll and this 56-minute documentary explores his childhood and what shaped him up both as a player and as a man.

Through a series of reality scenes with celebrities and exclusive interviews with his loved ones, Kretzschmar discusses what it means to be a rebel with responsibility. With guest appearances from star football player Toni Kroos; basketball superstar Dirk Nowitzki; Kretszchmar’s friend Christoph Schneider, drummer for heavy metal band Rammstein; and also former coaches such as Heiner Brand and Alfred Gislason, “Kretzsche: The Handball Punk” is a whirlwind of drama and excitement, providing plenty of insights into Kretzschmar’s life on and off the court, including the relationship with his children, Lucie-Marie and Elvis, who both play handball.

“He was a cult back then. Everybody knew him and how he shaped the wing position. He was a cult figure definitely,” says Nowitzki in the documentary.

The release of the documentary coincided with the Men’s EHF EURO 2024, hosted by Germany.