Andy Schmid was one of the best playmakers in the world for years. The Swiss was there at the European Championships despite being 40 years old. But that was also his last tournament.
The Swiss handball star Andy Schmid is ending his sporting career. The 40-year-old shared on Instagram: “My playing career ends NOW.” On a photo of himself are the words: “Time 2 Go” (in German: “Time to go”).
Schmid was still in action with Switzerland at the European Handball Championships in Germany. The playmaker’s three international matches were his last in the national team. He told the newspaper “Blick”: “I have invested so much mentally and physically for the European Championships that now the time to resign feels right.”
Schmid explained: “The last few years have left their mark, my body is now paying the toll for my long career in the form of minor injuries.” The handball professional’s contract with his club HC Kriens-Luzern would have been dated until the summer.
But Schmid did not want to delay his decision any further, as he announced. Now he has some time to prepare for his new job. In the summer he will succeed Michael Suter as Swiss national coach.
“Impeccable person”
Schmid therefore wrote on Instagram: “My love for handball remains and continues.” Before moving to Lucerne, the Swiss played for Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the handball Bundesliga for many years. He was under contract there from 2010 to 2022. He was voted “Player of the Season in the Handball Bundesliga” several times.
With the Rhein-Neckar Löwen he became German champion in 2016 and 2017. He also won the DHB Supercup three times with the team (2016, 2017 and 2018). Former German national player Stefan Kretzschmar praised Schmid on Instagram. He wrote under Schmid’s post: “Great career. Impeccable person. Respect. And: The best is yet to come. You’ll see.” Silvio Heinevetter commented on the end of the 40-year-old’s career with a crown.