Zehnder’s Potential Return Headlines Switzerland’s European Championship Squad
Table of Contents
Switzerland’s national handball team is poised for the 2026 European Championship, with head coach Andy Schmid announcing a 35-man squad featuring a hopeful return for Manuel Zehnder. The backcourt player, sidelined since a severe knee injury in January 2025, is included in the extended roster, sparking speculation about his potential to compete in the tournament.
A Challenging Road to Recovery for Zehnder
Zehnder’s inclusion is a testament to his dedication and progress in rehabilitation. He sustained a significant injury – a torn cruciate ligament, medial ligament, and meniscus in his left knee – during a World Cup preparation match against Italy in January 2025. Despite the severity of the injury, Zehnder impressively returned to team training in September, raising hopes for a timely comeback. The question remains: will he be fully fit in time for the championship?
Squad Composition and Bundesliga Representation
Schmid’s squad features nine players currently competing in the Bundesliga, highlighting the growing presence of Swiss talent in Germany’s top handball league. With 145 international appearances, Nikola Portner stands as the most experienced player in the Swiss national team, affectionately known as the “Nati.” The expanded squad allows Schmid flexibility as he prepares for the tournament.
Before the first European Championship game, Schmid must finalize a 20-player list, from which he will select 16 players for each match. The regulations allow for six player changes throughout the championship – two during the preliminary round, two in the main round, and two in the final round – providing strategic options for the coach.
Switzerland’s Expanded 2026 European Championship Squad
Here is a detailed look at the 35-man squad:
- 29 Samuel Zehnder (THE2000) TBV Lemgo Lippe (66/136)
- 33 Niclas Mierzwa (THE2006) Scout Winterthur (1/0)
- 35 Moam Leopold (THE2002) HBC Nantes (22/58)
- 46 Nikos Sarlos (THE2005) HSC Suhr Arau (0)
- 04 Lenny Rubin (RL1996) TVB Stuttgart (89/33)
- 88 Manuel Zehnder (RL1999) SC Magdeburg (28/130)
- 20 Luka Maros (RL1994) Cadets Schaffhausen (87/212)
- 39 Valentin Wolfisberg (RL2003) HC Kriens-Luzern (6/0)
- 44 Mehdi Ben Romdhane (RL2001) Cadets Schaffhausen (42/55)
- 45 Rellstab Team (RL2001) Scout Winterthur (4/11)
- 11 Felix Aellen (RM2003) ThSV Eisenach (26/65)
- 22 Jonas Schelker (RM1999) HC Kriens-Luzern (39/40)
- 28 From Luca Sigris (RM2005) HC Kriens-Luzern (16/34)
- 32 Tiago Cuencas (RM2007) Scout Winterthur (2/11)
- 13 Michael Kusio (RR1998) BSV Bern In (26/13)
- 18 Dimitrij Küttel (RR1994) Cadets Schaffhausen (96/186)
- 42 Leo Jan Schnyder (RR2005) BSV Bern In (0)
- 43 Daniel Parkhomenko (RR2001) Scout Winterthur (6/10)
- 48 Quentin Fuchs (RR2008) HC Kriens-Luzern (0)
- 06 Gian Attenhofer (RA2002) ThSV Eisenach (13/42)
- 21 Gino Steenaerts (RA2005) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (19/56)
- 25 Levin Wanner (RA2000) BSV Bern In (8/9)
- 31 David Hrachovec (RA2003) Cadets Schaffhausen (0)
- 41 Nils Epp (RA2007) HC Kriens-Luzern (0)
- 03 Luke Master (KM1996) Cadets Schaffhausen (97/227)
- 17 Samuel Roethlisberger (KM1996) TVB Stuttgart (95/242)
- 23 Luke Laube (KM2000) Tw kiel (41/90)
- 30 Joel Willecke (KM2003) TBV Lemgo Lippe (36/84)
- 47 Marc Bader (KM2001) HC Kriens-Luzern (0)
The numbers in parentheses represent the player’s jersey number and their international appearances, respectively.
Schmid faces a challenging task in narrowing down this talented group to a competitive squad for the 2026 European Championship. The successful integration of players like Manuel Zehnder, if his recovery progresses as hoped, will be crucial to Switzerland’s performance in the tournament.