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 is a dynamic and spectacular team sport that attracts millions of fans around the world. In recent decades, the discipline has gained a solid position in the popularity rankings thanks to its speed, strategic depth and emotional intensity. Handball competitions have become the stage for the best players in the world, where tactical skills and physical stamina determine the outcome of matches. The tournaments bring together huge stadiums and audiences in front of screens, turning each event into a true sports festival.

Olympic handball tournament: the pinnacle of sports performance

The Olympic Games are the highlight for every athlete. The handball competition at the Olympics is one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in the world of sport. Every four years, the best national teams meet in the Olympic stadiums to determine the strongest team in the world. The competition is characterised by a high level of preparation, incredible competition and the utmost motivation of the participants. A victory at the Olympics writes a team into the history of world handball forever.

History of Olympic handball

Olympic handball competitions were first held in 1936 in Berlin, but then they were played on outdoor courts and only between men’s teams. The discipline returned to the Olympic programme in 1972 in Munich, but in the classic indoor format. Women’s handball debuted in 1976 in Montreal. Since then, Olympic tournaments have become one of the events that athletes and fans alike look forward to with excitement.

Over the decades, different national teams have dominated the Olympic stage. For instance, the USSR, Yugoslavia, Denmark and France have repeatedly stood on the top step of the podium.

How the Olympic handball tournament goes

Selection for the Olympics consists of several stages. Participants are determined by the results of world championships, continental championships and qualification matches. The format of the Olympic handball competition comprises two phases: a group tournament and a play-off.

In the group stage, 12 teams are divided into two groups of six teams. Each team plays five matches. The best four from each group advance to the quarter-finals. This is followed by the semi-finals and the final, in which the winner is determined.

The tournament is characterised by its fast pace and tension. The players have to endure several matches in a short time, showing the best physical fitness and tactical discipline.

Handball World Cup – the most important handball tournament in the world

Every two years, the handball world stands still in anticipation of one of the biggest sporting events: the World Cup. This handball competition brings together the strongest national teams, competing for the title of the best team in the world. The World Championship is not only an indicator of the skill level of the national teams, but also a mirror of the evolution of tactical schemes and game strategies.

History and importance of the World Championship

The first men’s championship was held in 1938 in Germany, where only four teams participated. The women’s tournament debuted much later, in 1957 in Yugoslavia. Today, 32 teams compete in the World Handball Championships.

Facts:

1. The French, Swedish and Danish teams are the leaders in terms of wins.
2. The last men’s World Cup was held in 2023 in Poland and Sweden.
3. The 2021 women’s World Cup was held in Spain and attracted a record number of spectators.

Winning the World Cup entitles you to be considered the best team in the world and is an important step towards qualification for the Olympics.

The handball Champions League is the epitome of club rivalry.

The Handball Champions League is a prestigious competition between European clubs, similar in importance to the Champions League in football. The tournament brings together the strongest club teams in Europe, competing for the title of the continent’s best team. The matches are characterised by a high level of skill, entertainment and unpredictable results.

History of the Handball Champions League

The handball competition dates back to 1956, when the event was called the Champions Cup. In 1993, the tournament was given a modern name and a new format.

Stages of development:

1. 1956-1993: Champions Cup, in which only the winners of national championships participated.
2. From 1993: Transition to the Champions League, expansion of the competition and improvement of the tournament format.
3. 2000s: introduction of the group stage and play-offs, increasing the level of intrigue and spectacle.

European championships: the stage for Europe’s best teams

European handball competitions are one of the most competitive and spectacular events between national teams. Europe’s strongest teams face each other to determine who is the continent’s best. This tournament is an important preparation stage for the World Cup and Olympics, as well as a platform to identify new handball stars.

History of the European Handball Championship

The first competition took place in 1994 for the men and in 1996 for the women. Since then, the tournament has been held every two years, bringing together 24 of the continent’s best teams.

Facts and figures:

1. Tournament winners: The national teams of Denmark, France, Spain and Sweden are multiple winners.
2. Star players: European championships have produced players such as Nikola Karabatic, Mikkel Hansen and Anita Gorbitz.
3. High level of competition: European teams traditionally dominate the world stage, making the tournament as demanding as possible.

National championships: the foundation of the handball hierarchy

National handball championships play a key role in the development and popularisation of the sport. Here, the foundations are laid for the formation of strong national teams and the identification of the future stars of the discipline. The strongest leagues in Europe, such as the German Bundesliga, the French D1 and the Spanish Liga ASOBAL, are the global sports benchmarks in this field.

Characteristics of handball leagues

Each country has its own peculiarities of national championships. The tournament system, match schedule and level of competition depend on the traditions and development of the sport in the country.

The three main national championships in Europe are:

1. German Bundesliga: considered one of the strongest and most competitive leagues in the world. The championship has 18 teams and matches are fast and hard. Clubs like Kiel, Flensburg and Rein-Neckar Leuven are multiple winners of the Bundesliga.
2. French Championship (LNH Division 1): a league that has been strengthened in recent years by investment and the emergence of world-class stars. Club Paris Saint-Germain dominates here and triumphs on the international stage.
3. Spanish ASOBAL league: this league is historically the strongest of the Barcelona and Atletico Madrid teams. ASOBAL is known for the high level of tactical training and technical skill of its players.

Conclusion

Handball competitions are an integral part of world sport, bringing together millions of fans and athletes. Olympic tournaments, world championships, Champions League and national championships form a unique structure in which each competition plays an important role.