Günter Böttcher

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameGünter•Böttcher
Used nameGünter•Böttcher
Born24 July 1954 in Kassel, Hessen (GER)
Died4 October 2012 in Bad Neustadt an der Saale, Bayern (GER)
Measurements188 cm / 86 kg
AffiliationsTV Hüttenberg, Hüttenberg (GER)
NOC West Germany

Biography

Günter Böttcher was a member of the West German handball team that lost the match for the bronze medal 21-18 against Poland after extra time at the 1976 Montréal Olympics. He earned 36 international caps. Domestically, he played with TV Hüttenberg and TV Jahn Gensungen. After retiring in 1979 due to a cruciate ligament tear he became a very successful coach. He was a graduated sport and geographic teacher but worked with the University of Kassel. He also was engaged as a handball coach in the 1. and 2. Bundesliga with 1. SC Göttingen 05, MT Melsungen and TV Jahn Gensungen / Felsberg.

In 2012 Böttcher had a car accident and was severely injured. He suffered pulmonary bruises, head injuries, and vertebral injuries, and fell into a coma for several days. A few months later he committed suicide in a rehabilitation clinic.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Summer Olympics Handball FRG Günter Böttcher
Handball, Men (Olympic) West Germany 4

Special Notes