Ahead of the Rio Olympics, handball is breaking out of its traditional European base and becoming a truly global sport.
The men’s game has never seen an Olympic or world champion from outside Europe, but a controversial Qatari team is hot on the heels of 2012 gold medalists France, while the Brazil women’s team could put on a strong showing at home.
MEDAL FAVORITES
Photo: AP
Despite handball’s momentum outside its European heartland, traditional powers remain strong.
The France men’s team are widely considered to be among the best teams in history, though they suffered a setback with a fifth-placed finish at January’s Handball European Championship, which Germany won.
Norway women’s tea, arrive as world, Olympic and European champions.
BEST MATCHUPS
There is a big game on the opening day on Aug. 6, as Norway women’s team take on host nation Brazil, the 2013 world champions.
Brazil and their Danish coach, Morten Soubak, are likely to be hoping the passionate home crowd can cancel out recent poor form after they lost all three games at a friendly tournament in Norway in March, including a 32-26 defeat to the then-host.
Three days later, France men’s team play Qatar in a repeat of last year’s world championship final, which France won 25-22.
Another mouthwatering matchup on Aug. 12 sees Norway women’s team face Montenegro in a repeat of the 2012 Olympic gold medal game.
POTENTIAL RECORD SETTERS
In 2012, France became the first men’s team to successfully defend its Olympic title.
In Rio, winning a third gold medal in a row would be an achievement to stand for decades to come.
Norway women’s team were also Olympic champions at the last two Games, and a third title would match the record set by the Denmark team that won gold in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
CONTROVERSIAL CHALLENGERS
The small, but wealthy, Middle Eastern nation of Qatar’s transformation into an Olympic medal contender has raised more than a few eyebrows.
The stars of the Qatar team mostly are not local boys made good, they are experienced Europeans attracted in part by the riches on offer.
At last year’s world championship, Qatar’s team featured players born in Spain, France and even Cuba, with veteran goalkeeper Danijel Saric having previously played for Serbia and Bosnia national teams.
Qatari officials said they are just doing what the rules allow; their opponents grumble it is not a true national team.
THE VENUE
At the Olympic Park on Lake Jacarepagua, handball’s home is the innovative Future Arena.
It is an attempt to give the Rio Olympics a tangible legacy, as after the Games, this temporary venue is to be dismantled and its parts used to build four schools.
It was completed in November last year after having avoided the delays that have dogged other Rio Olympic arenas.
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