Sławomir Szmal (born 2 October 1978) is a former Polish handball player, who played for the Poland men's national handball team, a participant in the Olympic Games Beijing 2008, and a medalist in the World Championship (silver in 2007, bronzes in 2009, 2015). Szmal is currently the goalkeeping coach of the Polish national team.[1]

Sławomir Szmal
Personal information
Born (1978-10-02) 2 October 1978 (age 45)
Strzelce Opolskie, Poland
Nationality Polish
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club PGE Vive Kielce (GK Coach)
Senior clubs
Years Team
1996–1997
Gwardia Opole
1997–1999
Huntnik Kraków
1999–2002
KS Warszawianka
2002–2003
Wisła Płock
2003–2005
TuS Nettelstedt-Lübbecke
2005–2010
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
2010–2018
Vive Kielce
National team
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2016
Poland 298 (3)
Teams managed
2018–
PGE Vive Kielce (GK Coach)
2019–
Poland (GK Coach)
Medal record
World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2007 Germany
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Croatia
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Qatar

Career edit

National team edit

On 19 August 1998 he debuted for the national team in a match against Lithuania (31:20). On 4 February 2007 he won a silver medal at the World Championship, after losing the final match with Germany (24:29). For his sport achievements he received the Gold Cross of Merit in 2007.

He won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championship. In 2009 Szmal was voted IHF World Player of the Year, while Igor Vori came 2nd and Nikola Karabatić came 3rd.[2]

On 1 February 2015 Poland, including Szmal, won the bronze medal at the 2015 World Championship. They won the bronze medal match (29:28) against Spain.[3][4]

Personal life edit

Szmal was born in Strzelce Opolskie, Poland. He is married to Aneta, who is a former handball player. They have a son named Filip.

Sporting achievements edit

State awards edit

References edit

External links edit