Sławomir Szmal

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.

National team
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.

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.

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

State awards

 * 2007 POL Złoty Krzyż Zasługi BAR.svg Gold Cross of Merit
 * 2015 POL Polonia Restituta Kawalerski BAR.svg Knight's Cross of Polonia Restituta