National coach Andy Schmid has nominated 16 players for the two European Championship qualifiers against Germany and Austria. Among them is Nikola Portner, a returnee.
Goalie and captain Portner returns to the national team for the first time since the spring following his suspension on suspicion of doping and his acquittal by the Handball Bundesliga. Another player, center Lukas Laube, is about to make his comeback. He has been out of action since February due to a persistent knee injury. The two returning players are two of eight legionnaires in Andy Schmid's squad.
Switzerland will face Germany on November 7 in Mannheim to kick off their European Championship qualifying campaign. On November 10, they will host Austria in Schaffhausen. Turkey complete the group. The nations in first and second place and the four best-placed third-placed teams in the group qualify for the finals in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
SDA
