Captain Paco Barthe Announces Retirement from SG BBM Bietigheim
Paco Barthe, the captain and veteran player of Handball Bundesliga club SG BBM Bietigheim, has decided to end his handball career at the conclusion of the current season. The announcement was made by the club, who currently sits at 16th place in the league standings.
Barthe, 32, has been an integral part of SG BBM Bietigheim for the past eleven years, having played for the club since its inception in 2012. His decision marks the end of an illustrious playing career that spanned both the French and German leagues.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Barthe spent his formative years in Hendaye, France, where he began playing handball. He quickly rose through the ranks, joining the French national team at the junior level. In 2012, he made the move to SG BBM Bietigheim, a club founded by a merger between two local teams.
Throughout his time at Bietigheim, Barthe has established himself as a key player and a leader on and off the court. His versatility and experience have made him a valuable asset to the team, and his contributions have been instrumental in their success over the years.
While Barthe has enjoyed a successful handball career, he has also pursued a parallel career as an engineer. He runs his own consulting firm specializing in structural engineering, and it is this aspect of his life that he plans to focus on more fully after retiring from handball.
Barthe cited the desire to spend more time with his family and to dedicate himself to his engineering career as the primary reasons for his decision to retire. He expressed his gratitude to SG BBM Bietigheim for the opportunity to have played at the highest level of handball for so many years.
The club, in turn, thanked Barthe for his unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions. They expressed their support for his decision and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Barthe’s departure from SG BBM Bietigheim will leave a significant void in the team, both on and off the court. His experience, leadership, and skill will be sorely missed. However, the club remains hopeful that he will continue to be involved with them in some capacity in the future.
Barthe’s retirement marks the end of an era for SG BBM Bietigheim and for the handball community in general. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and respected players of his generation, and his legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of handball players.
