Airport Trophy 2025 Breaks Attendance Record

The 14th edition of the Airport Trophy in Kloten, held from May 9 to 11, 2025, once again featured a top-class lineup and high-level handball. Four U21 national teams from Europe—Spain, France, Germany, and host nation Switzerland—used the tournament as a final test ahead of the upcoming U21 World Championship in Poland. A record number of spectators filled the Ruebisbach sports hall, where they enjoyed not only exciting handball action but also a wide-ranging side program with food offerings and the traditional Mobiliar Kids Day as additional highlights.

The tournament opened on Friday evening with a match between Germany and Spain. In a thrilling contest, defending champions Spain narrowly won 30:29, quickly underlining their ambitions to retain the title. Switzerland also began their campaign on Friday, facing France. In front of a well-filled crowd, the team coached by Petr Hrachovec put on a committed performance but lost 28:32. Despite some strong phases, consistency was lacking, and in particular Reyhan Zuzo caused major problems for the Swiss defense.

On Saturday afternoon, the Mobiliar Kids Day took place with appearances by Swiss handball stars, attracting over 60 children and creating a fantastic atmosphere in the hall. In the first match of the day, Switzerland faced Spain. The Iberians showcased their class and won 32:26. However, the Swiss team showed fighting spirit in the second half and managed to keep up for stretches. Leo Schnyder stood out with six goals, becoming his team’s top scorer, while goalkeeper Mathieu Seravalli impressed with numerous saves and was named “Player of the Match.”

Switzerland played their final game on Sunday against Germany. With both teams still without points, the match was a battle for pride and third place. The Swiss held their own in the first half, but a 6:0 run by Germany just before the break proved decisive. In the end, Hrachovec’s squad fell clearly, 24:36. Nikos Sarlos again showed his quality, scoring ten goals and securing his position as the tournament's top scorer with a total of 22 goals.

Spain, the tournament favorites, dominated the competition and won all three matches to claim the title. In the decisive game against France, the defending champions prevailed 27:23, marking their third Airport Trophy win in the last four years and once again confirming their status as a youth handball powerhouse in Europe. Javier Miñambres Calvo was named MVP of the tournament, while France’s Stanis Soullier impressed with a strong goalkeeping performance and a 40% save rate.

However, the Airport Trophy 2025 was not only a sporting success but also an organizational achievement—made possible by the dedication of many volunteers from the newly merged club Handball Züri Unterland. With the support of main sponsors Stadt Kloten and Die Mobiliar, as well as numerous other partners and sponsors, the event became a handball celebration for the entire region, solidifying its place in the international handball calendar. The next edition will take place from June 26 to 28, 2026.