Joe Mattia to Coach Israel's Junior Handball National Team

Joe Mattia, the current coach of Maccabi Rishon LeZion, has been appointed as the head coach for Israel's junior national handball team. He will lead the team at the upcoming World Championship this summer. Mattia replaces Chen Pomeranz, who successfully guided the team to qualification for the championship. Pomeranz, who is currently an assistant coach in Germany's top handball league, cannot continue in his role with the Israeli junior team due to his commitments there, as the team trains year-round. Pomeranz will remain as an assistant coach for the senior national team, which is set to compete in European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Slovenia next week. Mattia, a former national team player who earned 40 caps and won multiple domestic titles as a player, expressed his excitement for the new challenge. He cited the talented roster and its significant potential as key motivators. "I will do everything not to disappoint," Mattia stated, emphasizing the need for a collective effort from players, staff, clubs, and the Handball Association for success at the World Championship. This marks Mattia's first national team coaching position.