Despite Defeat: Switzerland Shows Fighting Spirit Against Germany

Germany concludes the 2025 Airport Trophy with a convincing 36:24 victory over Switzerland, securing third place. However, despite the clear defeat, the Swiss team managed to hold their own during various phases of the match.

On the final day of the Airport Trophy, the two winless teams, Germany and Switzerland, faced off. While Germany had narrowly lost in the final moments of both previous matches, Switzerland had clearly fallen short against top teams Spain and France. Despite Germany’s favored status, coach Petr Hrachovec’s team delivered a spirited performance in front of the home crowd, especially during the opening phase of the game.

1st Half:

The game initially remained balanced. Nikos Sarlos, who had already made a name for himself as Switzerland’s most prolific scorer in the previous games, netted his team’s first three goals, keeping the hosts competitive early on. However, Germany responded swiftly: Tim Gömmel was in exceptional form, scoring five goals in the first eleven minutes and emerging as the standout player on the court. After a timeout in the 16th minute, Germany shifted gears. The Swiss defense fought valiantly but conceded a 6:0 run, allowing the Germans to extend their lead to 16:10 by halftime.

2nd Half:

After the break, Switzerland tried to resist the looming defeat. Leo Schnyder and Nikos Sarlos attempted to spark the offense, and goalkeeper André Strauss made several noteworthy saves. But Germany capitalized on the Swiss turnovers with rapid counterattacks, with Max Günter leading the charge as a consistent finisher.

Despite the deficit, Switzerland kept fighting. However, the Swiss backcourt continued to struggle against Germany’s strong defense. Nikos Sarlos remained relentless and finished as the game’s top scorer with ten goals.

Outlook:

Germany claims third place and can head home with some redemption after two narrow losses earlier in the tournament. Switzerland, meanwhile, ends another Airport Trophy without a victory, but the team displayed fighting spirit and individual highlights – particularly from Nikos Sarlos, who remains a standout as the tournament’s top scorer.