Michael Neuland is the new head coach, “Bundestrainer”, of the national team of Germany. Previous head coach Michael Koziol chose to step down from the position in May 2008, having lead the German team to success at three major tournaments (2005 – 2007).

During the prime years of his active career (which still continues in German Bundesliga, in the team of Dormagen-Brechten) Michael Neuland became known as one of the best eternite players in the world. He won bronze in his “rookie year” in Vaasa 1984 (eternite), silver in Karlsruhe 1989 (eternite), and bronze in Hard 1995 (eternite + beton). He also won the German champion title five times.

But probably the most famous and immortal moment in his playing career was his loss to Iwan Wijkstra in the first play-off round of World Championships 1991 in Oslo — having lead the competition with a great margin after the preliminary rounds. For a decade this was one of the most told stories in the clubhouses of minigolf courses.

photo by SBGF: Michael Neuland winning the silver medal at World Games 1989

International career history of Michael Neuland:

11.   1999  WM Papendal, NL (E+B)
09.   1998  EM Porto, P (E+B)
04.   1997  WM Studen, CH (E+B)
15.   1996  EM Odense, DK (E+B)
03.   1995  WM Hard, A (E+B)

20.   1992  EM Grenchen, CH (E+B)
17.   1991  WM Oslo, N (E)
29.   1990  EM Luxembourg, L (E)
02.   1989  WG Karlsruhe, D (E)
05.   1988  EM Paderno, I (E+B)
06.   1987  EM Vösendorf, A (E)

30.   1985  EM Monza, I (E+B)
03.   1984  EM Vaasa, FI (E)

average rank  11.85  (13 years)

news article at DMV website