But then, things did not go exactly as planned. After two seasons in the north of Germany, Baijens moved to Lemgo for three years, before joining ASV Hamm-Westfalen in 2021 — a club then playing in the second Bundesliga. When you have tasted the EHF Champions League, playing in less shiny arenas around Germany might make you give up on your dreams.
“But I never did, even though I would be lying if I said I was thinking about the Champions League when I was in Hamm,” says the 26 year old. “But I kept working, thinking that if I played well, then I might have a chance in a bigger club.”
That is exactly what happened, as HSV Hamburg called in 2022. Playing in the first Bundesliga again, Baijens kept the exact same mindset he had in Hamm: “Maybe a bigger club will call if I play well.” And play well he did.
Baijens became a key player for the club that won the EHF Champions League in 2013 and found himself in the spotlight. “I played almost 60 minutes every game, and my ability to be a leader, on the court at least, improved a lot. As a playmaker, I was able to make decisions, to have a proper role on the court and to become a better player.”
Along with his performances with the national team, the way Baijens developed in the Bundesliga raised a few eyebrows in the offices of Champions League clubs. Paris did not hesitate too long when it came to signing him last winter.
“It’s a privilege to play for such a big club, but I also know that I have to keep working. I definitely want to become an even better player, and playing in Paris, in such a competitive environment, pushes me to the limit every day,” he says.