Baumgartner returns to national handball team
Marc Baumgartner, the most successful Swiss handball player of the past 10 years, has announced his comeback to the national handball team after a one-year absence. The Bernese player made his decision following talks with team coach, Arno Ehret.
Baumgartner, 30, who currently plays for the top German side TBV Lemgo, pulled out of the national squad in June last year after its defeat by Ukraine in the World Championships play-offs. He is scheduled to return in time for the European Championship play-off against Hungary in June this year.
Since leaving the national team, Baumgartner has devoted all his attention to the German club, which he joined a year ago. Since then he has fulfilled all expectations, notching up 184 goals and becoming the German side’s best scorer.
The return of Baumgartner, and another key player, Carlos Lima, to the home team has come as welcome news to the Swiss handball federation. Retirements, withdrawals and injuries have forced Ehret to field a young and inexperienced side at recent play-offs.
But the Swiss team has still made an impressive start to the qualifying competition for the 2002 European Championships, with five wins from six games played.
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