Pascal Hens -- a German legacy in the making

(BEIJING, July 10) -- The men's handball Olympic qualification tournament came to a close last month with 12 teams qualifying for the Beijing Olympics. Much attention has been paid to the 2004 Athens sliver medal German team led by 2007 world champion Pascal Hens. The team is expected to be among the top contenders for this year's Olympic gold.

In back left position, Hens excels at aggressive jump shots. With long skinny arms and imposing height, the top handball player has earned the nickname "Pommes" (German for "French Fries"). Winning four medals in the European and World championships and a host of other titles, the name Hens has become synonymous with victory.

Beyond his towering 203 centimeters, the German is also widely known for his Mohawk hairstyle, making him a fashion idol for youngsters. While an avid video gamer and diehard fan of basketball player Michael Jordan, he has made his career in another ball game. Hens picked up the game of handball at the age of six and has stuck with it for 22 years. As the cornerstone of the HSV Hamburg Club in Germany, he has helped his team to win the European Handball Federation Cup in 2007.

Hens has expressed a determination to lead the German team to victory in Beijing. Competition begins for the team on August 10 in their first prelim match against the Republic of Korea.