Heiner Brand

Heiner Brand, the likeable face of success, became world champion as national coach of the German men's national handball team in 2007. This made him the first handball player ever to become world champion both as a player in 1978 and as a coach in 2007. The business graduate won all the national and international handball titles and trophies with VfL Gummersbach, which for many years was regarded as the FC Bayern of handball, as a player from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. As a coach, he was German champion several times with VfL Gummersbach and SG Wallau Massenheim. He became known beyond handball circles as national coach of the national team that became European champions in 2004. Heiner Brand was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon, the Order of Merit of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Silver Laurel Leaf. In 2007, he was awarded the “Golden Sports Pyramid” for his life's work in sport to date, his humanitarian activities and his services to the reputation of German sport in the world. He holds the “Legend of Sport” award and is a member of the “Hall of Fame of German Sport”.