European Handball Championship: Heritage, Tradition and the Grandeur of a Sporting Event

You can’t mess around with a handball. If you make a mistake with your choice, the training becomes a farce. The projectile bounces around, flies past the target, knocks your fingers out and doesn’t stay in your hand. To avoid such “tricks”, it is important to understand in advance how to choose a handball. Below is a step-by-step algorithm without window dressing and advertising clichés. Only specifics and common sense.

One list – all parameters

In the process of choosing handball equipment, it is important to consider several criteria at once.

What to check when choosing a handball so that you don’t make a mistake:

1. Size – whether it corresponds to the age and category of the player (see IHF classification).
2. Weight – standard range according to official tables.
3. Material – natural leather or synthetic depending on playing conditions.
4. Surface – presence of microtexture for grip without resin.
5. Player level – beginner, amateur or professional.
6. Purpose – training, competition, children’s section.
7. Manufacturer – compliance with IHF standards, availability of labelling.

This checklist allows you to quickly determine how to choose a handball without too much trial and error.

Size is not a whim, it’s a science

A couple of millimetres make the difference. Manufacturers divide handball equipment according to the official dimensions approved by the IHF. Each type corresponds to a strictly defined age and gender category. Handball by size is classified according to the following system:

1. Size 1 (girth 50-52 cm, weight 290-330 g) – for children 8-12 years old.
2. Size 2 (girth 54-56 cm, weight 325-375 g) – for girls 14+, boys 12-16.
3. Size 3 (girth 58-60cm, weight 425-475g) – standard for men 16+.

Incorrect diameter disrupts technique and slows progress. Too large a projectile is often the cause of wrist injuries in young athletes. This is regularly reported by coaches. Therefore, if you want to understand how to choose a handball, start with the main thing. Get the right size according to the age and fitness of the player.

The age of the player is the key to balance

You can’t put a beginner with professional level equipment. Weight, bounce, grip – everything plays against. Handball by age is chosen based on the level of formation of muscles and motor skills. Children under 10 years old have not yet formed their hands, so professional models cause rapid fatigue and lose effectiveness in training. For this category, preference is given to softer and lighter shells with a non-aggressive texture.

Boys aged 12-15 successfully master the second size. With regular training it helps to form the correct passing and throwing technique. From the age of 16, the transition to the third size is necessary to adapt to the competitive load of the adult level.

How to choose a handball for a beginner – it is important to take into account not only age, but also muscle preparation. For a teenager who is new to the parquet, a lightweight training model, rather than an official championship ball, is suitable.

Material and its importance

The ball is not just an implement. It is an extension of the hand, an instrument of precision and a sense of pace. The material determines grip, flight behaviour, bounce and wear.

The leather ball is a classic. Uses natural leather, provides a perfect grip, especially when using special resin. It is suitable for professional matches and tournaments. But it quickly loses its shape when played intensively without care.

Synthetic ball – optimal for indoor, outdoor, and resin-free training. Not afraid of moisture, holds its shape longer, requires minimal maintenance. An everyday option, especially for mass training and schools.

Professional clubs often purchase both options: one for matches and one for routine training. The choice therefore depends on the purpose: competition, training, street play or hall.

Surface: grip without resin

Manufacturers treat the outer coating in different ways: rough polyurethane inserts, rubberised elements, microtexture. For beginners, models with a non-slip surface without the need to use resin are preferable. Coaches recommend these options as a starting point to develop grip without aids. Sections and schools prohibit glue – and this makes the choice particularly important.

A separate approach to training

Training models are made of durable synthetics or rubber with reinforced seams. Weight – closer to the upper limit to develop strength. Surface – reduces slippage.

Intensive training requires a hard-wearing material that retains its shape after hundreds of throws. Weak equipment reduces efficiency by almost a quarter, as confirmed by European coaches.

For throws, one model. For the street – another. High bounce hinders technique, weak bounce hinders dynamics. How to choose a handball for training – take into account the surface, the format of training and the level of the player.

Adult or child: what changes

Age affects the strength of the throw and the amplitude of movement. A child cannot cope with an adult projectile – loses accuracy.

Hand size, endurance – everything grows over the years. Going to a larger size prematurely throws off the technique.

An adult handball player will not achieve the necessary dynamics with a smaller model – timing is lost. How to choose handball equipment – take into account the physical characteristics of age, and not be guided by appearance.

Beginner does not equal inexperience

The opinion that handballs for beginners are toys is wrong. The beginner models of well-known brands are fully certified. The difference is in softness, less bounce and increased safety.

How to choose a handball for a beginner – you need to understand what skills you need to develop. They will suit lightweight models with a sure grip, reducing stress on the joints.

The Select Kids series is designed for 8-12 year olds, Kempa Tiro is often used in resin-free training.

Handball requires precision – the shell delivers results

Handball is about speed, control and marksmanship. The wrong model and the whole dynamic collapses. Teams tailor their equipment to their style of play. Minimal bounce – for control, high – for high-speed attacks.

Handball by age is selected by section coaches taking into account height, weight, level of fear and experience. Synthetic universal models are suitable for adult amateurs. On the right choice depends on technique, safety and development.

How to choose a handball: the main thing

Handball equipment is not an accessory, but a precise sports tool. Mistakes in the choice provoke injuries, confuse technique, inhibit development. How to choose a handball is based on the parameters: age, size, level, material and purpose. Only an exact match will ensure results. Proper selection increases efficiency, reduces risk and helps you reach your potential. The right tool becomes an extension of the hand, not a hindrance.

Handball legends – who are they? Names written in golden letters in history, athletes whose skills and charisma inspire millions. Great handball players become symbols of their eras, dictating new rules of the game. Statistics, technique, leadership qualities – every factor plays a decisive role. Some have shone in clubs, others have led national teams to world triumphs. So who has left the deepest mark in the history of handball?

You can assess who the best handball player is according to different criteria: personal awards, influence on the game, victories in major tournaments. Among the contenders are legendary players who have won titles, set records and changed the very philosophy of the game. Let’s find out what criteria determine the greatest player and who is among the top handball players of all time.

Main criteria for evaluating the best handball player

Handball players who have won world, Olympic, European and club titles are the elite of the sport. Their achievements go beyond personal honours – they have an impact on the entire handball world, setting new records and raising the game to unprecedented heights.

Here are the key factors that define an athlete’s greatness:

1. Olympic gold is the high point of any handball player’s career. Only the best athletes get a chance to compete at the Olympics. And winning the finals becomes a confirmation of their outstanding level. For example, Nikola Karabatic and his participation in three Olympics is a living example of dominance at the world level.
2. World and European Championships are titles that define a player’s stability and his influence on the international stage. Victories in these tournaments speak of the athlete’s high competitiveness over a long period of time. Legendary players, such as Ivano Balic, have repeatedly proved their uniqueness in matches against the strongest teams on the planet.
3. Club tournaments – EHF Champions League, national championships, EHF Cup Winners’ Cup – this is where the true masters of tactics and technique show themselves. Club level legends don’t always become the best in the world, but their contribution to the development of the sport cannot be denied.

Statistics and efficiency

Stability in play is a key indicator of skill. The best players are characterised by high efficiency, passing, defence and playmaking skills. The main parameters by which the greatest players are evaluated:

1. Total number of goals in a career – world handball record holders score hundreds and sometimes thousands of goals, creating history. Kirill Lazarov, is the best sniper of the World Championships. He has held this record for more than ten years.
2. Shooting percentageis a measure of accuracy and efficiency. Even the most talented players lose the ball, but the great ones turn every moment into a goal.
3. Assists and defensive actions – great handball players not only score, but also create chances for their partners. Ivano Balic is known for his amazing vision of the court, allowing him to create chances even from the most difficult situations.

Influence on handball tactics and development

The greatest players don’t just win matches – they change the game itself. Influencing tactics, a new approach to positional attack, improving defence – these are the innovations that make handball players truly great.

• Individual style of play – players with a unique technique often set trends in world handball. Mikel Hansen is known for his inimitable throwing style, which is copied by young players around the world;
• leadership qualities – legendary athletes inspire their partners, lead the team to victories and become true captains on the court. Nikola Karabatic is a shining example of a leader who motivates the team and maintains a high level of play even in the most difficult situations;
• changing the game philosophy – rare handball players are able to influence the evolution of tactics. Goalkeepers introduce new strategies, thanks to which teams win the most important tournaments. Thierry Omeyer has proven time and time again that the goalkeeper can be a key figure in determining the outcome of matches.

Ranking of the best handball players

The list of the best handball players is based on their achievements, contribution to the sport and impact on the game. These legends have left an indelible mark on the history of handball.

Top 5 best players of all time:

1. Nikola Karabatic – recognised three times as the best player in the world, twice Olympic champion, four times world champion. One of the most versatile handball players, able to dominate in attack and defence.
2. Mikel Hansen – one of the most prolific scorers in history, leader of the Danish national team, winner of three World Player of the Year titles. He is known for his unique shooting technique and accuracy at the end of the attack.
3. Ivano Balic – unrivalled playmaker, twice the best handball player in the world, leader of the Croatian national team. Characterised by his unconventional style of play, excellent technique and ability to read the game several steps ahead.
4. Kirill Lazarov – absolute record holder in the number of goals at the World Championships, leader of the Macedonian national team, one of the most productive players in the history of handball.
5. Thierry Omeyer – one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of handball. Five-time world champion, two-time Olympic champion, multiple Champions League winner. Distinguished for his phenomenal reaction and ability to stop the most difficult throws.

Each of these athletes proved their excellence at the world level. Winning a huge number of titles and changing the game itself.

Olympic handball champions

Handball at the Olympic Games is the peak of a career for any professional athlete. Only a select few get the opportunity to compete for gold on the world stage. History has known teams that have dominated for decades, leaving an indelible mark on world sport:

1. France are a recognised dominant force in the 21st century. Victories at the 2008, 2012 and 2021 Olympics cemented their status as the leading handball nation. Karabatic and Omeyer have symbolised the success of the French national team.
2. Denmark are the triumphants of the 2016 Olympic Games. Thanks to the outstanding play of Mikel Hansen, the Danish national team showed unprecedented strength, winning their first Olympic gold medal.
3. Germany are the 2004 champions, known for their tactical discipline and physical power. The team managed to overcome all opponents, proving their superiority on the world stage.

These teams were successful at the Olympic Games and brought innovative tactics to handball that influenced the development of the game in the future. They had some of the most decorated handball players in the world and made a huge contribution to the development of world handball.

Conclusion

Deciding who is the best handball player is not easy. Some shone in attack, others dominated in defence, others changed the style of play. History knows dozens of outstanding athletes, but only a few deserve the title of great.

Every fan chooses their own favourite, but one thing is certain: handball will continue to produce new legends, and the search for the best of the best will never end.