Senior Men's National Team Pool announced

USA Team Handball today announced the first 26 players who compose the USA Senior Men’s National Team Pool; the goal is a 30-player pool, but the active military status of at least three players, plus citizenship questions regarding at least one player, have prompted USA Team Handball to name just 26 players at this time. 

The average age of court players is just 24.4 years old, while the more experienced goalkeeper sextet averages 26.7 years old. These players, including seven scheduled to play abroad in 2009-10, represent the core of future National Team hopes, although other players may still be brought in to future National Team camps. This pool will be revised at least once annually.

"The decision to name these athletes was difficult because there is a lot of talent and potential that can be developed. This pool is an interesting mix of 'old guard' and novices. The best athletes don't always make the best teams sometimes; there are more qualities than just technical skills needed," said USATH Technical Director Mariusz Wartalowicz, who oversaw both camps in Atlanta and Chicago. "I'd like to thank David Thompson and Chris Cappelmann for taking it upon themselves to contact as many athletes as possible to sign up for the camps; there was a large number of players and with this we created a positive competitive environment."

Players selected to this team include participants from National Team tryouts in 2008-09, 2009 Regional Camps, U23 Germany tour and 2009 Men’s National Team Selection Camps. A new series of National Team Tryouts kicks off Sept. 27 at San Diego State University.

Last week, USA Team Handball invited more than 50 female athletes to a Junior Women’s National Team Pool camp (players born 1984 and later only), with the goal of announcing an updated Women’s Senior National Team pool and all-new Women’s Junior National Team pool.

SENIOR MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM POOL