Switzerland reaching the Main round may look like a breakthrough from the outside. For Andy Schmid, it is the result of belief, hard lessons, and a team learning to trust both itself and a coach who has lived every moment they are now experiencing. GoHandball sat down with the legend to speak about belief, growing pains, and Switzerland’s rise as a handball nation.
When Switzerland secured their place in the Main round, it marked more than just progression in a tournament. It was another confirmation that Swiss handball is moving forward – competitively, mentally, and structurally. Andy Schmid, now leading the national team after a legendary playing career, never doubted the group’s potential.
“We always believed we could go through the group,” Schmid says.
“After the first two games, it was extremely hard emotionally. Losing the first match after leading and then conceding in the last seconds, and then playing a very good game against Slovenia but loosing – that’s tough to take.”
Despite the results, Schmid felt the performances told a different story.
“Against Slovenia, we were the better team and played a really good match. But after two games with just one point, of course people thought the chances were small. But I told the team: we don’t need a miracle. We need our best performance.”
Destroyed Montenegro and made it through
That message proved decisive. Switzerland delivered when it mattered, producing a dominant win against Montenegro – a game that tested not just quality, but mentality.
“I’ve played many games like that in my career,” Schmid explains.
“You have to try to reach a point where you are ten goals up and the opponent starts to give up. And then you still have to finish the job.”
The emotional context around that match made it even more challenging. The disappointment against Slovenia was still fresh, and for many players, it was unfamiliar territory.
“The day after the Slovenia game was mentally very hard. Many of these young players had their first really hard defeat in their lives.”
Schmid chose honesty over comfort.
“I told them: I don’t want to lie to you – there will be more defeats like this in your careers. That’s sport. If you are not ready to take hard defeats, you are not able to get the big victories or the big moments in your handball career.”
His experiences as a player helps him as a coach
For Schmid, progress is not just about results. It is about building a culture, one that reflects both modern elite handball and the lessons he learned during his own career at the highest level.
“It means a lot, because we have clearly made progress. As a coach, but also as a mentor and a former player, I try to give them my experience – the ups and the downs I went through.”
That experience shapes how the team functions day to day.
“I want them to feel comfortable inside the group. I don’t care about age or hierarchy. For me, it’s flat. I want a culture where we go for everything and always play for the maximum.”
Switzerland’s rise is also reflected in where its players now perform their club handball. More Swiss internationals than ever are established in top European leagues and clubs, something Schmid sees as both a challenge and an opportunity.
“In the end, our path will also be influenced by our opponents. We are playing against tough nations. We are not alone in deciding our fate.”
Still, the direction is clear. Switzerland is no longer content with being competitive – they want to belong.
Would like to have the ball in his hands
As one of the greatest players of his generation, Schmid brings a unique perspective to the sideline. In high-pressure moments, his own experiences become a key resource for the team.
“It helps a lot. I’ve been in these situations many times as a player. I know how you feel in different moments of the game, in different positions.”
The transition from player to coach has required adjustment, but his influence remains strong.
“The problem now is that I don’t have the ball in my hands anymore,” Schmid adds with a smile.
“I still have to learn that. But for sure, I can help them – because many of the situations they are in now, I have already lived through myself.”
With belief growing, experience guiding the process, and a generation of players proving themselves at the highest level, Swiss handball is no longer just developing.
It is arriving.