Last weekend, when over 2 million Swiss were watching fireworks at Zürifäscht, the Swiss U15 korfball team was making it’s own fireworks in Budapest, Hungary at the U15 European Korfball Championships. Competing against much larger squads in the fast moving 4 vs 4 format, the strong team spirit and benefits of intense recent training showed as the team battled, unfazed, against often significantly older and taller opponents.
During the tournament the Swiss U15 team beat some well established korfball countries; Catalonia, Portugal and Slovakia. After losing to Hungary in the round-robin the Swiss team got revenge in the play-offs.
Not only did the team achieve the bronze medal (the first ever tournament medal for Swiss Korfball), the team also walked away with both male and female top scorer awards and the highest of praises from the tournament winners – who had to work hard to beat the Swiss team.
It was great to see the enthusiasm and strong competitive spirit of the Swiss U15 team along with some super talent, great goals, amazing work rate, strong stamina, stunning interceptions, quick counter attacks, solid defense and overcoming injuries.
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The Swiss U15 Korfball Team in Hungary. Photography Marco Spelten @actiefotografie.nl
For sure, it won’t be long at all before we see these stars of last weekend featuring in full Swiss senior internationals. A super thank you and congratulations to our U15 Swiss stars – Aaliyah, Alain, Parice, Romain, Guillaume, their coach: Julliette & team managers Gwendolyn & Juanita.
A shout of thanks and appreciation also has to go out to all who helped Swiss korfball reach this great achievement – From zero to European U15 heroes in just a few weeks, thanks largely to one family – but only possible thanks to all of the efforts and support of those that started and continue to develop Swiss korfball – we have come a long way in just a few years – but this is just the start of greater things to come!
The bar and expectations now raised for the senior national squad in the European Championships in 2024!
