Yuri Shevtsov

Sport: Handball

Born: 16 December 1959

Birthplace: Slutsk, Minsk Region, BSSR

Honors:

Honored Master of Sport of the USSR

Order of the Badge of Honor

Honored Coach of the Republic of Belarus

Career highlights:

Gold, Olympic Games in Seoul, 1988

World champion, Germany, 1982

Six-time champion of the USSR, 1981, 1984-1986, 1988-1989

Three-time winner of the European Cup, 1987, 1989, 1990

Two-time winner of the EHF Cup Winners' Cup, 1983, 1988

Winner of the Supercup, 1989

As a coach of German clubs – champion and winner of the German Cup (1997) and the EHF Cup (2005), finalist of the German Cup (1999, 2003, 2006 and 2007) and the EHF Cup Winners' Cup (2008)

Biography: 

Yuri Shevtsov was born in Slutsk. His family moved to Chausy, Mogilev Region, where his father was appointed director of the vegetable dehydration plant. At that time, the local children's sport school provided training in football, handball, and biathlon. Vladimir Shagunin became the first handball coach of the future Olympic champion. Over a hundred children trained in the handball section then. Yuri Shevtsov also did well in his studies and attended a music school. After the eighth grade Yuri Shevtsov enrolled at the Minsk Olympic Reserve School.

Yuri Shevtsov was one of the key players of HC SKA Minsk. He also made part of the USSR national team. Yuri Shevtsov was an example to follow for many of his teammates. Outstanding athlete, Olympic champion Konstantin Sharovarov said once that Yuri Shevtsov was his second coach alongside Spartak Mironovich. The player gained popularity for his intelligence, stamina, fitness and an unpredictable left-handed throwing technique.

Yuri Shevtsov played for only two clubs throughout his career. After winning the Olympic Games in Seoul, Yuri played for HC SKA Minsk for another two years and moved to Germany, where he spent two seasons with Blau-Weiss Spandau. After ending his active career, Yuri Shevtsov decided to try himself as a coach.

Outstanding athletes rarely become top-level coaches. The experience the player gained under the tutelage of prominent handball specialist Spartak Mironovich helped Yuri Shevtsov succeed on this front.

In Germany, Yuri Shevtsov coached many clubs, starting his coaching career with Blau-Weiss Spandau. In 2009, he was invited to coach the Belarusian national team, which he has been leading for more than ten years already. Under Yuri Shevtsov, the Belarusian national men's team has repeatedly reached the final stages of the World and European Championships and was once one step away from qualifying for the Olympic Games.

Yuri Shevtsov was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor.

In 2020, Yuri Shevtsov was awarded the title of the Honored Coach of the Republic of Belarus.