Debutants' chance to shine

Several injury worries are plaguing Switzerland's head coach Goran Perkovac ahead of the EHF EURO 2014 qualification matches against FYR Macedonia (31 October) and on home soil against 2011 World Championship bronze medallists Spain (4 November).

It's especially the line player's position on which Perkovac is forced to grant two debutants their chance to shine on the international stage.

Thomas Heer, Alen Milosevic and Fabio Baviera are still not 100 per cent fit following their injuries. The same applies to Daniel Fellmann, who couldn't be selected either into the 18-men roster.

Reto Friedli, who plays club handball for Wacker Thun, and Filip Pendic from TSV St. Otmar Gallen are the two newcomers that Perkovac selected to fill the gap.

Also injured are Michael Svajlen and Remo Quadrelli. Furthermore goalkeeper Pascal Stauber announced his retirement from the national team two weeks ago.

“On the one hand, it's my job situation that has made this decision necessary. On the other hand, I think the timing is right because by making it to the second phase of the qualification, we've set a base that allows us to play without too much pressure,” Stauber said back then.

“The upcoming six matches are a perfect opportunity for our future talents like Nikola Portner to get their taste of the international stage. I don't want to stand in their way.”

Compared to the last international matches in June, Marco Kurth, Nicolas Reamy and Nikola Portner return to the team.

Furthermore backcourt player Stefan Freivogel from GC Amicitia Zürich will be celebrating his national team debut.

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The Swiss team selected for the first two EHF EURO 2014 qualification matches:

Goalkeepers: Andreas Merz (33 Länderspiele/0 Tore), Nikola Portner (7/0)
Players: Stefan Freivogel (0 Länderspiele/0 Tore), Reto Friedli (0/0), Florian Goepfert (29/51), David Graubner (85/241), Marcel Hess (82/97), Thomas Hofstetter (19/29), Marco Kurth (138/371), Manuel Liniger (169/746), Andrija Pendic (13/4), Filip Pendic (0/0), Nicolas Raemy (6/15), Severin Ramseier (14/17), Ruben Schelbert (21/6), Oliver Scheuner (30/57), Andy Schmid (127/555), Marko Vukelic (59/127)