Coach: Michael Suter
Key Players: Albin Alili (Centre Back), Noah Huber (Goalkeeper)
Road to Qualification: 6th – 2014 European Championship 18 in Poland
History in Tournament: 2005-2009: DNQ, 2011: 6th, 2013: DNQ
Overview:
Switzerland are fairly inexperienced at the competition, having participated in just one IHF Men’s Youth Handball World Championship - in 2011, when the team ranked sixth in the Argentina games. This year, the young athletes have the chance once again to vie for the championship title against 23 other teams from all over the globe.
"We are playing in the probably most balanced, strongest preliminary-group. Russia, Denmark and Croatia are teams with the possibility to win the tournament. Qatar has a really competitive team in this generation as well, and Algeria must not be underestimated," Switzerland Coach Michael Suter said.
The team’s goal is to “make the most of the opportunities and somehow to survive the preliminary round,” according to Suter, adding that the young athletes are looking forward to the high level of competition.
“This is what we need for our development.”
One major setback the team is facing is that they are missing four important players who are out with injuries. This adds to an imbalance in their roster compared with the other nations in their group. An added obstacle, he said, is not having a left-handed player in the back court.
Group at Russia 2015:
Group C: Switzerland, Denmark, Russia, Qatar, Algeria, Croatia
Games at Russia 2015:
All times local
Saturday 8 August: SUI-CRO (14:00)
Sunday 9 August: QAT-SUI (16:00)
Tuesday 11 August: SUI-RUS (18:00)
Wednesday 12 August: SUI-ALG (16:00)
Friday 14 August: DEN-SUI (12:00)