03.01.2008, 01:29
Kiel signs goalkeeper talent

The 21-year old Andreas Palicka was the best goalkeeper of the last Juniors World Championship. He will join THW next season.

Kiel signs goalkeeper talent

A Swedish keeper follows a Swedish keeper: some weeks, after Matthias Anderson had told THW Kiel that he is going to leave the club for Großwallstadt, the Champions League title holders signed another Swedish goalkeeper.

Andreas Palicka (21) will arrive from Redbergslid and will be a further player from the “three-crown team” in Kiel. He signed a contract until 2010 with the option to stay one season longer.

“If he develops as we wish, he can stay much longer here,” said manager Uwe Schwenker.

Palicka was the matchwinner in the final of the Juniors World Championship in FYR Macedonia 2007, when Sweden won against Germany and he was chosen best goalkeeper of the tournament. Right before this season, Palicka had offers from Spain and also from the Swedish champion Hammarby, but he stayed in Redbergslid to continue his development.

Kiel coach, Noka Serdarusic, spoke to THW legend, Staffan Olsson, and goalkeeper, Mats Olsson. After getting the information they signed Palicka, who was also awarded best goalkeeper in the Swedish league.

Palicka’s dream is to play together with his idol, Thierry Omeyer, in Kiel:

“It’s a great honour for a young player like me to get an offer from one of the best clubs in the world and to learn at the side of the best goalkeeper in the world,” he said during his presentation in Kiel.

“He has a great future and perspective,” said manager Schwenker.

Serdarusic confirms:

“There’s no goalkeeper of this class at his age.”

Palicka played his first match in the A-team of Sweden against Germany. With his girlfriend, Sandra, Palicka will settle down in Kiel next season – just like a lot of Swedish players before him.

TEXT: Björn Pazen