Andersson retires and becomes goalkeeper coach
Photo: http://oehb.sportlive.at/
Written by: Rasmus Boysen
The Swedish world class goalkeeper Mattias Andersson retires and becomes goalkeeper coach for the Austrian national team.
Press release from the Austrian Handball Federation:
The Austrian Handball Federation has made a landmark personnel decision for the men's national team for the coming years and the home European Championship 2020. World class goalkeeper Mattias Andersson will join the team of supervisors as of 1 July 2018 as goalkeeper coach. This was one of the most sought-after specialists in the world for this position, which benefits not only the A-squad. In exactly one month, on January 12, 2018, the national team will meet Belarus for the start of EURO 2018 in Porec (CRO) - the key game for Austria in the fight for promotion to the main round.
In the top nations such as France, Denmark, Germany or Croatia, the goalkeeping coach has been an integral part of the national team's support staff for years. On the way to the world elite, the ÖHB managed to win one of the best goalkeepers in the world for this position.
Mattias Andersson led a goalkeeper camp in the summer with the national team goalkeepers of the A-squad and the junior team. Immediately there were talks about a lasting commitment of the Swede. From July 1, 2018, Andersson will become a permanent member of the men's national team. The contract runs until summer 2020.
Mattias Andersson himself is still under contract with SG Flensburg-Handewitt until 30 June 2018, playing with the German runner-up this season in addition to the Bundesliga in the Champions League. About his future work at the ÖHB, the Swede says: "I had a long time to work for my active career as a goalkeeper coach and pass on my knowledge. The cooperation with the ÖHB, team head coach Patrekur Jóhannesson and the goalkeepers in the summer just fit. In Sweden, the goalkeeper training has long been a special priority. For the Austrian handball, it is good that the association is acting and doing something here. Not many nations are so professionally positioned. I wish that I could pass on much and celebrate many successes with Austria. The EURO 2020 is something very special. It's about improving every day, so you have to work hard every day. "
"As a goalkeeper, of course, I know very well how important continuous work is in this position. All the more I am pleased that we could win with Mattias Andersson certainly the world's most sought-after specialist for us. His commitment will benefit not only the A-national team, but many more generations of young goalkeepers in Austria," says Captain Thomas Bauer.
The expertise and experience of Mattias Andersson will also be incorporated into the coach training of junior national teams, the training courses and games of the A-national team will accompany Andersson from summer 2018 as part of the support staff.
Patrekur Jóhannesson, coach: "For the entire Austrian handball this is a very important obligation. Mattias has been one of the best goalkeepers in the German Bundesliga for years. This is very positive for me and the entire coaching team. I'm looking forward to working with him. "
Thomas Czermin, ÖHB Vice President Sport: "This commitment is an absolute exclamation point. The experience and knowledge of Mattias Andersson will not only benefit the A-national team, but will generally be incorporated into the coach education. This not only benefits the men's national teams, but also the women's national teams and clubs across all leagues. "
Characteristics Mattias Andersson
Date of birth: March 29, 1978 in Malmö
Nationality: Sweden
Height: 1.85m
Association: SG Flensburg-Handewitt (since 2011)
Successes:
EHF Champions League winner 2007, 2014
EHF Cup winner 2002 and 2004
European Cup Winners' Cup 2012
EHF Champions Trophy winner 2007
German Champion 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
DHB Cup Winners 2007, 2008 and 2015
Supercup winner 2005, 2007 and 2013
Silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London
European Champion 2000 in Croatia
