The 27th World Handball Championship 2021!

[snipie]

At first I always thought this was a very boring sport. After looking at some images, I have to come back to this opinion. It is also very intensive. In terms of donation you have to be much better than playing football. No idea who is the favorite.

Without following each team and knowing its players one by one, telling who will win is very hard especially that some teams we used to know have changed its players and so on. Personally, I was surprised a bit to find Croatia losing with such big difference..

[cryptofrka]

Wow, we were so bad yesterday. I still can't believe we lost by 12 goals against Denmark C. At one point I had a feeling they would win if they brought coaches and physios on the court instead of the players.

Luckily I know our marvellous mentality so I bet heavily on handicap markets when it all started going to hell so I managed to earn some money even if all my initial bets were on Croatia to win.

[Trofo]

Wow, we were so bad yesterday. I still can't believe we lost by 12 goals against Denmark C. At one point I had a feeling they would win if they brought coaches and physios on the court instead of the players.

Luckily I know our marvellous mentality so I bet heavily on handicap markets when it all started going to hell so I managed to earn some money even if all my initial bets were on Croatia to win.

This was really bad and as I said to you in telegram at one point after about 10 minutes in second half, if it were available I would give a try for market Croatia not to score until end of the match I have never seen one of the top squads so toothless in the attack. We played this like some of those countries without professional handball players, same ones we were complaining they have no place to be in World Championship.

@tyKiwanuka
Have you watched Germany yesterday? I expected over in that game vs. Poland and they played a very low under. Usually when teams have nothing to play for they give them selves extra leave in attack on the expanse of defense.

[tyKiwanuka]

@tyKiwanuka
Have you watched Germany yesterday? I expected over in that game vs. Poland and they played a very low under. Usually when teams have nothing to play for they give them selves extra leave in attack on the expanse of defense.

I watched a bit and the result and the fierceness of both teams didn't surprise me tbh, because....

a) There is some rivalry in handball, but also in general between these two countries, because they are neighbouring states. This is probably more valid for the polish side, but still a german team never wants to lose against Poland (and Austria and Netherlands and France, you name it).
b) I don't know any german NT in any sports that does not give 100% even in a meaningless game in WC/EC/Olympics; it's just in their DNA and what they are expected to do and what they expect from themselves as well (see for example their record in third place matches for football WC's); and even the commentators were going kind of crazy as if this was some final . Albeit germans often have some problems with their national identity and it's even frowned upon to state and show you are proud to be a german, these guys (and girls) still give their everything for the country, but it's not "allowed" to be a patriot publicly.


Anyone still has any doubts that Denmark will win the title easily ? Odds are still 3+ ......

[Daniel91]

Wow, we were so bad yesterday. I still can't believe we lost by 12 goals against Denmark C. At one point I had a feeling they would win if they brought coaches and physios on the court instead of the players.

Luckily I know our marvellous mentality so I bet heavily on handicap markets when it all started going to hell so I managed to earn some money even if all my initial bets were on Croatia to win.

At one point, I thought that girls, Croatian handball players who recently won a bronze medal at the European Handball Championship, would also play better. 
It's actually funny that in a TV commercial before this competition, a girl, a Croatian handball player from that European Championship, actually says: "Guys, play like girls." 
Who would have thought it would be almost prophetic ?
This is the worst game and the worst result of the Croatian men's handball team, probably in history, and fundamental changes are needed.
I thought that after the match with Argentina it could not be worse and unfortunately it was even worse.
After this match, it seems to me that Denmark is again the main favorite for gold .
What do you think?

[Trofo]

Anyone still has any doubts that Denmark will win the title easily ? Odds are still 3+ ......

After this match, it seems to me that Denmark is again the main favorite for gold .
What do you think?

Still not sure about Denmark getting the gold medal. Somehow in handball it always turns out that teams which have perfect score in groups lose one game in quarter or semi finals and end the tournament. By that logic Norway should now be first favorite France had some strange performances but they were the best against top teams and are always dangerous. Spain has also shown some very good plays and are legit candidates for medal.

Too bad Spain and Norway are playing each other so one of them will be out of tournament very soon. Denmark should win against Egypt easy unless referees pull out some home team shenanigans. Hungary was very good so far but France should be better due to bench length and experience. Sweden should win against Qatar I guess but this pair is by far weakest in my opinion and all other teams will be happy to play against winner of this one in semi finals.

[cryptofrka]

Swedes didn't really impress me. If Qatar manages to keep it low-scoring, they have a good chance of progressing.

I agree about the other pairs, Denmark should be the clearest favorite. Hungary is good but I really like this France team and I think they have more depth and options. Spain - Norway is the toughest one to call, Sagosen might be the difference there.

[Trofo]

Did you guys watch Egypt - Denmark? What a game, I don't remember ever seeing so many bad decisions and mistakes in the crucial moments for both teams.

This game was a perfect example of what I was talking about before. Every nation usually has a bad game in the tournament and sometimes it is better to get it done in group stage when you still have time to make it right. Denmark was lucky today that their bad game did not result with them getting out of tournament. Now Denmark is my number one favorite for the medal

[snipie]

Swedes didn't really impress me. If Qatar manages to keep it low-scoring, they have a good chance of progressing.

I just followed the game in the beginning, both teams were tying until 9 points then Sweden started to increase the gap to 12-9. At that point I was pretty sure Swedes gonna do it since they were playing way better, but 35-23 that was disappointing..
I regret not following Egypt - Denmark, it seemed interesting

[cryptofrka]

Did you guys watch Egypt - Denmark? What a game, I don't remember ever seeing so many bad decisions and mistakes in the crucial moments for both teams.

This game was a perfect example of what I was talking about before. Every nation usually has a bad game in the tournament and sometimes it is better to get it done in group stage when you still have time to make it right. Denmark was lucky today that their bad game did not result with them getting out of tournament. Now Denmark is my number one favorite for the medal

I really dislike how handball rules fluctuate throughout the game. It must be hell for the players to have one set of rules for the first 59 minutes and then a completely different set of rules for the last minute.

All favorites qualified for the semis, although both Denmark and France struggled more than expected. Norway did not have any chance after losing Sagosen and to my surprise, Sweden breezed through their game.

Let's see who will go to the final. I'm tipping France and Denmark.

[Trofo]

Let's see who will go to the final. I'm tipping France and Denmark.

I agree with the France. Spain has played some really good handball and Denmark had double overtimes so not so sure about that game.

This competition has been quite profitable for me so far and hopefully it will continue in a same way. I am playing following double today:
France 1x, France is better team and H2H is very favorable for them. Sweden has been playing whole competition without many important players and this should be enough for them. I predict 4th place for Sweden. I would have gone with straight win for France or even handi but they are also missing 2 important players so I went with more secure option.
Spain +2.5, Denmark has H2H in their favor but Spain has been great during whole tournament and I except them to capitalize on tired legs in Denamrk squad. That stomach flu + double overtime should leave Denmark a bit shaken.

That double has odds of just above 2, enough for me. I will also play Spain to win on some lower stake ticket, probably coupled with some player under/over markets.

[cryptofrka]

Did anybody watch the game? I was unable to, I saw the Swedes won, the statistics says that the French goalkeepers had only 3 saves in the whole game. That's practically impossible

Did the Swedes play so well in attack or were French goalkeepers really that bad? I can't recall ever seeing a game in which both goalkeepers combined have less than 10% saves.

I will watch Spain - Denmark, I expect a great high-scoring game there. Maqueda over 2,5 looks like great value.

[Trofo]

Did anybody watch the game? I was unable to, I saw the Swedes won, the statistics says that the French goalkeepers had only 3 saves in the whole game. That's practically impossible

Did the Swedes play so well in attack or were French goalkeepers really that bad? I can't recall ever seeing a game in which both goalkeepers combined have less than 10% saves.

I have watched whole game and it was combination of multiple factors. France defense was nowhere near their best, then their goalkeeper managed to keep first ball out of the goal around 25th minute and by that time all Swedish players were full of confidence and taking shoots as they please. Sweden was also leading all the time by at least 3 goals difference which does wonders for shooting percentage

[Daniel91]

Denmark and Spain played a very good match.
Denmark led the whole game but Spain also had their big chance at the end of the game.
For such an important and uncertain match, the Spanish team made too many mistakes and as a result came the defeat of Spain.
It will be very interesting to watch the final between Sweden and Denmark.
Nobody expected much from Sweden because a lot of their players could not play in this competition, but they surprised everyone.
Can they surprise Denmark in the final?

[acquafredda]

Denmark is from another planet compared to Spain but the Spanish were very difficult to beat until the very end.
It will be a very interesting final between defending champions of Denmark and Sweden. On a funny side, I wonder how was it even possible to play this tournament considering that handball is not the kind of game that can be considered covid-free.


Hug me please.

[cryptofrka]

What are you looking at today? Both France and Sweden are portrayed as heavy outsiders.
I have to admit that a combo of Denmark and Spain to win looks interesting though, gives total odds of over 2.5. Not sure what to bet on, I'm honestly thinking of skipping it altogether.

If you have some ideas, shoot

[Trofo]

What are you looking at today? Both France and Sweden are portrayed as heavy outsiders.
I have to admit that a combo of Denmark and Spain to win looks interesting though, gives total odds of over 2.5. Not sure what to bet on, I'm honestly thinking of skipping it altogether.

If you have some ideas, shoot

I am not sure about games today. I have played Spain to win since they were better than France so for and I opted for over 54.5 in the final. That is a double but for medium stake. That way even if it looses I can still say that I finished the competition in the green.

I also have a low stake ticket on following player over goals:
Wanne 4.5+
Hansen 7.5+
Petterson 1.5+
Sole 3.5+

[Lucius]

On a funny side, I wonder how was it even possible to play this tournament considering that handball is not the kind of game that can be considered covid-free.

The same could be said for basketball or football, players are simply forced into close contact - but in all these sports regular tests are done before each game - and anyone who is positive cannot play in the game. It is a real shame that such competitions are played without spectators - but that is the reality of this time.


As for the final, Denmark is a big favorite in bookmakers - but I wouldn't underestimate Sweden so much - they're not in the final by accident. It will be a clash of neighbors, and we will see who will have more strength and luck after all the games played.

[Pmalek]

The Danes are the obvious favorites in the finals, although my sympathies are with Sweden. I would prefer to watch a low scoring game with strong defenses instead an all-you-can-score fest. It is really a miracle that Sweden managed to reach the finals with so many players missing from the squad. This will be a battle of two excellent goalkeepers but I believe the Danes will come out victorious with a margin of 4-5 goals. 

[cryptofrka]

Sweden is quite good in this tournament but they drew to both Slovenia and Belarus. Denmark played really well against all teams in the tournament bar Egypt, I think that it's fair to give them the title of strong favorites.

I think they are a better team with more depth, therefore I went for their win with a 2,5 handicap. Sweden already did a small miracle by reaching the final, I think it ends here.