1. Overview
Hans Einar Magnus Wislander (born February 22, 1964) is a Swedish former handball player, widely recognized as one of the greatest handball players of all time. He was notably voted "Handball Player of the Century" by the IHF. Throughout his illustrious career, he made significant contributions to both his clubs, including Redbergslids IK and THW Kiel, and the Swedish national team, where he holds the record for both most matches and most goals.
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Magnus Wislander's early life and formative years in handball laid the foundation for his celebrated professional career.
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Magnus Wislander was born on February 22, 1964, in Gothenburg, Sweden. His full birth name is Hans Einar Magnus Wislander.
2.2. Youth and Early Club Career
Wislander began his handball journey at Tuve IF, playing for the club from 1973 to 1979. He then moved to the Gothenburg-based club Redbergslids IK in 1979, where he continued his youth development until 1983. This period was crucial in shaping his skills before he transitioned to professional play.
3. Professional Playing Career
Wislander's professional playing career spanned decades, marked by immense success at both club and international levels, establishing him as a dominant force in handball. He primarily played as a centre back, but in his later years, he transitioned to the pivot position. He earned the nickname 'Slangen', which means 'The hose' in Swedish, or in formal notation, SlangenThe hoseSwedish.
3.1. Club Career
Wislander achieved remarkable success with two primary clubs, accumulating numerous domestic and international titles.
3.1.1. Redbergslids IK (First Stint)
From 1983 to 1990, Wislander played for Redbergslids IK. During this initial period, he secured four Swedish championships with the club, showcasing his early impact and talent in the Swedish league.
3.1.2. THW Kiel
In 1990, Wislander moved to the German top club THW Kiel, where he played until 2002. His tenure at Kiel was exceptionally successful, as he led the team to seven German championship titles. He played in 369 league matches for the club, scoring an impressive 1,371 goals. He also served as the team captain from 1991 to 2001, highlighting his leadership qualities. During his time at Kiel, the team also won three DHB-Pokal cups, two Supercup titles, and two EHF Cup trophies. His jersey number, #2, was retired by THW Kiel and hangs prominently under the roof at their home arena, the Ostseehalle.
3.1.3. Redbergslids IK (Second Stint and Retirement)
Wislander returned to Redbergslids IK in 2002, taking on a dual role as a player-coach. In 2003, he won his fifth Swedish championship as a player, adding another title to his career. He officially retired from playing in 2005 but continued his coaching role with the club.
3.1.4. Notable Comeback
In November 2011, at the age of 47, Wislander made a remarkable one-game comeback for Redbergslids IK in a match against Hammarby IF. He played for six minutes during the game and managed to score one goal, demonstrating his enduring skill and passion for the sport even after retirement.
3.2. National Team Career
Wislander had an exceptionally long and decorated career with the Swedish national team. He debuted in 1985 and continued to represent his country until 2002. During this period, he played in 384 games and scored 1,185 goals, setting national records for both most matches played and most goals scored.
He was a central figure in Sweden's "Bengan Boys" era, which saw the team achieve significant international success. He secured three silver medals at the Olympic Games (1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney). In the World Men's Handball Championship, he won two gold medals (1990 Czechoslovakia, 1999 Egypt), two silver medals (1997 Japan, 2001 France), and two bronze medals (1993 Sweden, 1995 Iceland). His national team career was further highlighted by four gold medals at the European Men's Handball Championship (1994 Portugal, 1998 Italy, 2000 Croatia, 2002 Sweden).
4. Post-Playing Activities
After concluding his playing career, Magnus Wislander transitioned into various other professional roles within and outside of handball.
4.1. Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player in 2005, Wislander continued his coaching role at Redbergslids IK. He remained as a coach for the club until 2022, contributing to the development of new generations of handball players.
4.2. Other Roles
Beyond coaching, Wislander has also worked as a handball expert for Swedish radio, providing commentary and analysis on the sport. Additionally, he has been employed as a postal worker at PostNord, demonstrating his engagement in other professional fields outside of sports.
5. Awards and Honours
Magnus Wislander's career is marked by an extensive list of team and individual accolades, underscoring his status as one of handball's most decorated players.
5.1. Club Honours
Wislander achieved numerous titles with his clubs:
- With Redbergslids IK:
- Swedish Championship (5): 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1988-89, 2002-03
- With THW Kiel:
- German Championship (7): 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2001-02
- DHB-Pokal (3): 1998, 1999, 2000
- German Supercup (2): 1995, 1998
- EHF Cup (2): 1998, 2002
5.2. International Honours
Representing the Swedish national team, Wislander earned a remarkable collection of medals:
- Olympic Games
- Silver (3): 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney
- World Men's Handball Championship
- Gold (2): 1990 Czechoslovakia, 1999 Egypt
- Silver (2): 1997 Japan, 2001 France
- Bronze (2): 1993 Sweden, 1995 Iceland
- European Men's Handball Championship
- Gold (4): 1994 Portugal, 1998 Italy, 2000 Croatia, 2002 Sweden
5.3. Individual Awards
Wislander received numerous individual recognitions for his exceptional talent and performance:
- IHF World Player of the Year: 1990
- Best player of the 20th century by: IHF
- Best player of the 20th century by: Sweden
- Elected best player of THW Kiel in the 20th century
- Record holder for most caps and goals in the Swedish national team
- Best player at the 2002 European Championship
- Elected best handball player of the year in Sweden: 1986 and 1990
- Elected best handball player of the year in Germany: 2000
- Voted Best foreign player of Bundesliga: 1994, 1995, 1996
- Voted Best Player THW Kiel: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
- EHF Hall of Fame: 2023
6. Legacy
Magnus Wislander's legacy in handball is profound, marked by enduring recognition and his status as a historical figure in the sport.
6.1. Handball Player of the Century
Wislander was officially voted "Handball Player of the Century" by the IHF. This prestigious recognition, also bestowed upon him by his home country Sweden, cemented his place as one of the most influential and skilled players to have ever played the sport in the 20th century. The vote underscores his consistent excellence and groundbreaking achievements over his long career.
6.2. Enduring Recognition
His contributions to THW Kiel are permanently honored by the club's decision to retire his jersey number, #2, which hangs prominently in their home arena. In 2023, Wislander was further recognized for his illustrious career with his induction into the EHF Hall of Fame, solidifying his status among the sport's all-time greats. His records for caps and goals for the Swedish national team also stand as a testament to his unparalleled career longevity and impact.