The Swiss handball team beat Italy 33:25 in their final World Championship match. Coach Andy Schmid's team finishes the tournament between 9th and 12th place.
25.01.2025, 17:06
25.01.2025, 17:11
SDA
The Swiss team's performance at this World Championship cannot be overestimated, all the more so as they were missing their most important player in attack, the injured director Manuel Zehnder. They only lost against the Olympic finalists Germany (29:31) and Denmark (28:39). It should not be forgotten that the SHV team was only there thanks to a wild card and was the youngest team at the tournament.
Against the tired-looking Italians, the Swiss put in another composed performance based on a strong defense. They never trailed throughout the game. From the 12th to the 16th minute, the Swiss scored four goals in a row to make it 11:5 and then controlled the game. After the break, they pulled away from 14:9 to 17:9 (35'), leaving no doubt about the outcome of the game.
Although the Swiss were convincing as a team, Lenny Rubin deserves special mention. The 2.05 m tall giant scored nine times, taking his total number of goals at this World Championship to 40. Rubin fulfilled his more important role excellently due to the absence of Manuel Zehnder. Luka Maros scored seven goals against Italy, the amazing Dimitrij Küttel scored five times. Goalie Nikola Portner saved all three of Italy's penalties in the first half.
