The 2025 Men’s World Championship is getting closer and in a series of articles Ola Selby, reporter at GoHandball, picks his 5 best players at each position. Now: the left backs.
Here are the players:
Simon Pytlick, Denmark
Is it too far-fetched to say that Pytlick is often forgotten because he plays in the same team as Mathias Gidsel? Yes, it probably is. But what is perhaps actually true is that Pytlick is almost always overshadowed by the right back. Not so surprising considering Gidsel’s level, but the fact is that Pytlick is one of the best left backs in the world, if not the best. It’s so tough to stop him.
Eric Johansson, Sweden
Missed the Olympics when he was forced to have surgery, but before that, and after that for that matter, Eric Johansson has been Kiel’s best and most important player. He may not have a major role in the defense, but going forward he scores the most goals and assists in more or less every team for the Kiel. Needs to perform at his very highest level if Sweden is to go far in the World Championship.
Martim Costa, Portugal
It wasn’t long ago that Martim Costa was a reserve in Portugal’s championship squad. Then he came in and dominated and the rest, as they say, is history. Now there is no longer any doubt that Costa is a top player, as he shows for club team Sporting week in and week out. A strong candidate to win the World Championships top scorer.
Aleks Vlah, Slovenia
Will Vlah play playmaker or left back during the World Championship? It will probably be both. And the Aalborg player is kind of equally sharp in both positions. Has a amazing shot and showed during the Olympics that he is ready to seriously take over from Dean Bombac as Slovenia’s big player.
Thibaud Briet, France
Should have been given the chance to play for France in the Olympics, according to many, but was not selected in favor of Elohim Prandi and Nikola Karabatic. Now Prandi has been injured and Karabatic has retired, which means it is time for Briet to make that place his in the French team. He has all the qualities to do so – Briet has been dominant for his Nantes for several years now and it is only a matter of time before he will start dominating for the national team. Maybe it will happen during the World Championship.