Hanno Balitsch

Hanno Balitsch (born 2 January 1981) is a German retired footballer

Hanno Balitsch

Balitsch in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Hanno Balitsch
Date of birth	(1981-01-02) 2 January 1981 (age 44)
Place of birth	Alsbach-Hähnlein, West Germany
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1986–1998	FC Alsbach
1998–1999	SV Waldhof Mannheim
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2001	SV Waldhof Mannheim	32	(1)
2001–2002	1. FC Köln	24	(0)
2002–2005	Bayer 04 Leverkusen	64	(3)
2005	1. FSV Mainz 05	14	(0)
2005–2010	Hannover 96	150	(12)
2010–2012	Bayer 04 Leverkusen	32	(3)
2012–2014	1. FC Nürnberg	59	(2)
2013–2014	1. FC Nürnberg II	8	(0)
2014–2015	FSV Frankfurt	28	(1)
2015–2016	SV Waldhof Mannheim	31	(3)
International career
2002–2004	Germany U-21	20	(2)
2003	Germany	1	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 1 June 2015

Club career

Balitsch was born in Alsbach-Hähnlein. In the 1999–2000 season, he transferred from his first team FC Alsbach to SV Waldhof Mannheim. In 2001–02 he moved to 1. FC Köln.

Rapid development with the team and consistent first team performances brought him to Bayer 04 Leverkusen for two million €. However, he was unable to assert himself within international competition. He saw the opportunity to move to a newly promoted team, FSV Mainz 05, where he moved during the 2004–05 season, and found form amongst the first team. The top league once again beckoned, and the former German Under-21 international moved to Hannover 96.^[2]

On 29 May 2010, Balitsch returned to his former club Bayer 04 Leverkusen, signing a two-year deal.^[3] He retired from the professional stage after more than 400 first and second level matches in 2016.^[4]

International career

He has made one appearance for the Germany national team,^[5] coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Spain on 12 February 2003 in Palma de Mallorca.^[6]