Handball-Nati finally wants to beat a big one

class=”sc-97fd9fa8-0 jNFKxv”>

Rarely has the Swiss national handball team entered a qualifying week with so little pressure. Thanks to the two victories in the autumn against Georgia and Lithuania, participation in the European Championship 2024 in Germany is not yet complete, but almost certain. Because even third place in the group should be enough for the Swiss to qualify.

The two games against group favorites Hungary are now scheduled for Thursday in Schaffhausen and Sunday in Tatabanya. The quarter-finalist of the last World Cup is somewhat overshadowed internationally by the medal holders from Denmark, France and Sweden. Nevertheless, national coach Michael Suter considers Hungary to be one of the great countries of world handball.

And such a big one must finally be beaten again. The Swiss made the last coup in 2018 in the World Cup qualifier against Norway. The 33:30 was favored by the fact that the Norwegians no longer had to play for victories with the success of six goals from the first leg. The Swiss were close to a surprise in 2021 at the World Cup against France (24:25) and in the European Championship qualifier against Denmark (29:30).

Portner comes with wind at his back

The most important Swiss players come from their clubs to the national team with different levels of confidence: in his first season back in Switzerland, Andy Schmid not only tops the list of goalscorers, but also tops the list with Kriens-Luzern. Goalkeeper Nikola Portner (SC Magdeburg) also has a lot of wind at his back in the international match week thanks to the victory in the emotional East Derby against Berlin. The situation is different for defender Samuel Röthlisberger and backfield shooter Lenny Rubin: both play key roles in their clubs Stuttgart and Wetzlar, but are battling relegation from the Bundesliga.

Nati coach Suter has to do without the injured Samuel Zehnder, Luka Maros and Nicolas Raemy. Stars like Richard Bodo (back half), Bence Banhidi (circle) and Roland Mikler (goal) are missing in Hungary.

Tonight’s match at the BBC Arena in Schaffhausen (7 p.m.) is the first international match since it was announced that Andy Schmid would replace Michael Suter as national coach in 2024. (cmu)

Source : Blick