Lukas Laube is under contract with Kiel, one of the most successful handball clubs. He now wants to use the winning mentality he experienced there to help him overcome the huge disappointment at the European Championships.
20.01.2026, 05:01
20.01.2026, 07:18
SDA
Lukas Laube is only 25 years old, but it is immediately obvious that the circle player plays in a top team at Kiel. After Switzerland's more than bitter 35:38 defeat against Slovenia in the second European Championship preliminary round game - his team had squandered a 23:14 lead - the five-time scorer said in an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency: "Such defeats make us even stronger. We're a young team and still have so much ahead of us. We have to keep that in mind."
Laube initially played football as a child, like his older brother. However, he lost interest at the age of ten. When HSC Suhr Aarau introduced itself at school, he thought it still sounded interesting and started playing handball. Although there was a point when he wanted to stop, his mother encouraged him to continue. "When I was 15 or 16, Misha Kaufmann (the coach of the NLA team at the time) said that he would like to tie me down and put me in the first team. Then it became more and more, and I thought to myself: 'This could be something'," says Laube.
"Everything done right"
In the summer of 2022, Laube left his youth club with a heavy heart because there were already four full-backs playing there and joined GC Amicitia Zurich. The following February, he seized the opportunity at Stuttgart. "So I did everything right." He is also an example for young players that it can make sense to take a more unconventional path. The most important thing is to play a lot. You grow from mistakes. "I had to learn that too. That's why I started mental training early on. Of course you need talent, but you make the step to the absolute top with your head. Especially when things are going well, you can't let up in this respect. Because when things are going well, it doesn't mean that everything is good." He also works a lot in the field of hypnosis.
Laube moved to Kiel last year. THW is one of the most successful clubs ever: in Germany, the club has won the most championship titles (23) and the most cup victories (13) and has also won the Champions League four times. Laube is the first Swiss to sign a contract with the club.
The expectation at Kiel is clear: to win titles. The team captain is the Croatian Domagoj Duvnjak, who is considered one of the most influential personalities in handball. "It's incredible for me to be able to play here," says Laube. "The atmosphere in the hall is magical, I get goosebumps every time I walk in. In addition, everything is geared towards being able to concentrate fully on handball. And Duvnjak lives the mentality of wanting to win every game. That is really instilled in you."
Always wants more
Laube was given a "relatively important role at Kiel. At the moment I'm happy with the playing time, but I'm someone who always wants more. I think that's what sets me apart." The move to the north of Germany also means he earns more. The salary would have been even higher if Kiel hadn't had to buy him out of his contract with Stuttgart.
His girlfriend does not live permanently in Kiel as she is still studying law in Zurich. What is the best way for him to switch off? "I like to cook and read or go for a walk by the sea." He felt at home in the circle right from the start. He emphasizes: "But I don't just stand in the way. I've always been involved with handball - from different situations and perspectives. That brings me a lot and makes it easier for many backcourt players to play with me."
Laube can definitely imagine working as a coach later on, which is why he has already started training. Either way, he is likely to remain active in the sport after his career. But that is still a long way off at the moment. The present is the European Championship. On Tuesday, he wants to take advantage of Switzerland's small chance of advancing to the main round against Montenegro. "We want to show the fans why we're here," says Laube. This should also be possible thanks to his winning mentality.
