15th Airport Trophy in Kloten: Spain Claim the Title, Switzerland U21 Impresses with Character

Three days of top-class handball in Kloten's Ruebisbachhalle marked the 15th edition of the Airport Trophy, serving as the final major test for Europe's elite U21 national teams ahead of the upcoming EHF European Championship. Spain secured their seventh Airport Trophy title, while Switzerland's U21 side finished fourth without a point. Despite the results, the hosts showcased tremendous fighting spirit, gained valuable insights ahead of the EURO, and produced the tournament's top scorer.

Once again, the Airport Trophy featured its traditional, high-calibre lineup of participants. Spain, Germany, France and Switzerland all returned to Kloten for what has become one of Europe's premier preparation tournaments. With the European Championship just around two weeks away, the competition once again provided the perfect opportunity for all four nations to test themselves under genuine match conditions against world-class opposition.

Head coach Petr Hrachovec and his staff made full use of the three-day tournament to fine-tune the squad ahead of the EURO. Different line-ups were tested, player rotations were made, and several tactical variations were trialled in competitive situations. One of the most valuable takeaways came during Switzerland's match against Germany, where the coaching staff consistently deployed the seventh court player in attack, providing important insights ahead of the championship.

Alongside Spain's outstanding team performance, several individual awards were presented at the conclusion of the tournament. France's Victor Gildas was named the tournament MVP, while Germany goalkeeper Finn Knaack received the award for Best Goalkeeper.

Results-wise, the tournament was an unfortunate one for the Swiss side. An opening defeat against France was followed by two narrow and fiercely contested matches against two of Europe's strongest teams. However, the standings alone do not reflect Switzerland's performances.

In the dramatic 31:30 defeat to Spain—who celebrated their fifth consecutive Airport Trophy title in Kloten following a break in previous years—as well as the high-scoring 35:33 loss to one of the EURO favourites, Germany, Switzerland displayed outstanding resilience and character. After a difficult start against Germany, the team battled its way back into the game and matched the favourites for long stretches. Strong attacking performances from Neil Röttges and Alessandro Lüthi were among the highlights.

The biggest individual success for Switzerland came from backcourt player Tiago Cuencas. Despite playing slightly fewer minutes in the final match against Germany, he finished the tournament as the undisputed top scorer with 19 goals across the three matches.

Attention now turns fully to the European Championship, which gets underway in around two weeks. The Airport Trophy served as the ideal dress rehearsal ahead of the biggest event of the season. The performances against Europe's top teams confirmed that Switzerland possesses the quality to compete with the continent's best. During the remaining preparation period, the coaching staff will focus on further improving the team's defensive organisation and eliminating periods of lost concentration in order to deliver consistent performances throughout the EURO.

Outstanding Event Programme and Excellent Organisation

Away from the court, the tournament once again delivered an outstanding overall experience. During the traditional Mobiliar Kids Day, made possible by title sponsor Mobiliar, around 40 children enjoyed an afternoon full of fun and activity under the guidance of Switzerland women's national team players Tabea Schmid and Seraina Kuratli.

Despite temperatures exceeding 30°C throughout the weekend, the tournament ran smoothly thanks to the tireless efforts of the volunteers from Handball Züri Unterland. Their commitment, both inside the arena and in the hospitality village outside the venue, ensured a first-class experience for teams and spectators alike.

Tournament director Christoph Lüthi reflected positively on the event and was already looking ahead to the future:"The 15th Airport Trophy was a complete success, both on and off the court. Thanks to the unwavering support of our loyal sponsors, the fantastic fans in the stands, and above all the countless volunteers from Handball Züri Unterland, we were able to deliver an unforgettable handball event despite the extreme heat. The commitment of our volunteers is something that should never be taken for granted. We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Kloten for the next edition from 7 to 9 May 2027."