Leuchter shines and snatches “Best Young Player Powered by Lidl” at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023

The 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship was the first-ever to be co-hosted by three countries – Denmark, Norway and Sweden – and the 26th edition of the world handball flagship competition brought another maiden award, which aimed to reward the best young player in the competition.

The “Best Young Player Powered by Lidl” was the new award which was presented to the best young player aged Under-22 at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, underlining the common values shared by the International Handball Federation (IHF) and its Official Fresh Food Partner, Lidl, in creating a path for the top young talent to be nurtured and developed.

Lidl has been a strong backer of handball as a sport and a long-time partner of the International Handball Federation, with the first appearance being at the 2017 IHF Men’s World Championship. This was the first time the company has become a partner for an edition of the IHF Women’s World Championship, marking its approach with the introduction of the new award for the best young player in the competition.

After the end of the main round of the competition, eight players were nominated for the award, due to their excellent performances in the first matches at the 26th IHF Women’s World Championship 2023, with one earning the plaudits after the final whistle of the competition, when the All-Star team was announced.

Germany’s right back Viola Leuchter, one of the youngest players in the competition, who turned 19 this June, was eventually selected as the “Best Young Player Powered by Lidl”, by a panel formed by members of the IHF Commision of Coaching and Methods, thanks to her excellent performances in the competition.

Leuchter finished the 26th IHF Women’s World Championship with 25 goals from 42 shots, an efficiency of 60%, having played 146 minutes and 43 seconds, while also dishing 14 assists and delivering seven steals, proving to be an excellent performer both in attack and in defence for Germany.

At only 19 years old, Leuchter projects to be the right back of the future for Germany, following in the footsteps of another former star, Grit Jurack, with a powerful strong shot and an excellent physique for defence, standing at 1.85m tall.

Unfortunately, in the Placement Match 5/6, Leuchter suffered a serious injury 15 minutes into the match and could not receive her award, as she was transported to the hospital for investigations before the final whistle.