2023 IHF Men's World Handball Championship

[slackovic]

I didn't see any thread about the handball world championship that will take place from 11 to 29 January 2023. It will be hosted by Poland and Sweden. Since it starts in just 14 days, I thought it would be a good time to start a discussion thread.

The biggest favorite to win the championship is Denmark who is two times defending champion. The championship will start with the opening game Poland vs. France. Who do you think will win this year? Will it be Denmark again to win it three times in a row or some other country like France?

[1714243271]

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[1714243271]

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[yazher]

I need to admit it, I never heard such a sport exist, to be honest, I am more curious and when I watch it on Youtube, it's just a copy-paste of football but this time they use their hands. Anyway, this is a chance to watch because I see that it is interesting as well because of how hard you can score against your enemy. This is the time to learn its rules and might be a fun game to play when you have only small spaces in your places.

Then the teams that are in the same group as Denmark might probably working as hard as they can to bypass Denmark, it might be a slight chance but do they also have an upsetting win in their past matches?

[Sithara007]

The last time I watched handball was during Tokyo 2021 Olympics. And before that, I guess it was during the Jakarta Palembang 2018 Asian Games. It is good to know that the International Handball Federation is organizing a mega tournament this time, with a total of 32 participants. I like the format, which ensures diversity and representation from each of the Continental Confederations. The only thing I am not comfortable with is the fact that they decided to disqualify Russia (one of the strongest teams in handball). 

[slackovic]

I need to admit it, I never heard such a sport exist, to be honest, I am more curious and when I watch it on Youtube, it's just a copy-paste of football but this time they use their hands. Anyway, this is a chance to watch because I see that it is interesting as well because of how hard you can score against your enemy. This is the time to learn its rules and might be a fun game to play when you have only small spaces in your places.

Then the teams that are in the same group as Denmark might probably working as hard as they can to bypass Denmark, it might be a slight chance but do they also have an upsetting win in their past matches?

The game is probably more familiar to European people. There's not much interest for the game outside Europe, although there are some nations outside Europe that are solid like Tunis. The game is played faster than football and it's mostly played in front of each goal. I don't follow handball that much except when there is world cup or euro cup.

The last time I watched handball was during Tokyo 2021 Olympics. And before that, I guess it was during the Jakarta Palembang 2018 Asian Games. It is good to know that the International Handball Federation is organizing a mega tournament this time, with a total of 32 participants. I like the format, which ensures diversity and representation from each of the Continental Confederations. The only thing I am not comfortable with is the fact that they decided to disqualify Russia (one of the strongest teams in handball).  

I agree with you that Russia shouldn't have been disqualified but I think we all know why IHF did that. But to say that they are one of the strongest teams in handball is a bit of exaggeration. There are better teams like Denmark, France, Spain, Germany...

[Yogee]

I was searching for odds for the team that will win the tournament and I also saw odds for friendly matches. I'm surprised they still do that despite the tournament going to be held in just a couple of weeks or maybe it's not Men's?

....Who do you think will win this year? Will it be Denmark again to win it three times in a row or some other country like France?

I really don't know but it's going to be one of those European powerhouse for sure. Countries in other regions are way behind in the odds and probably for a good reason.

[slackovic]

I was searching for odds for the team that will win the tournament and I also saw odds for friendly matches. I'm surprised they still do that despite the tournament going to be held in just a couple of weeks or maybe it's not Men's?

....Who do you think will win this year? Will it be Denmark again to win it three times in a row or some other country like France?

I really don't know but it's going to be one of those European powerhouse for sure. Countries in other regions are way behind in the odds and probably for a good reason.

Where did you see odds for friendly games during the World Cup? It's men cup and I don't see any men friendly games scheduled to be played during the World Cup (11-28 January 2023).

Yeah, the winner will most probably be from Europe because it's mostly an European sport. Like I said, only few nations outside Europe like Tunis and maybe Egipt are solid but they aren't strong enough to win the World Cup. In fact, I don't think that there ever was a nation outside Europe that won the World Cup.

[Yogee]

I was searching for odds for the team that will win the tournament and I also saw odds for friendly matches. I'm surprised they still do that despite the tournament going to be held in just a couple of weeks or maybe it's not Men's?

....Who do you think will win this year? Will it be Denmark again to win it three times in a row or some other country like France?

I really don't know but it's going to be one of those European powerhouse for sure. Countries in other regions are way behind in the odds and probably for a good reason.

Where did you see odds for friendly games during the World Cup? It's men cup and I don't see any men friendly games scheduled to be played during the World Cup (11-28 January 2023).

I saw at least two upcoming friendlies like Brazil vs. Korea Republic on Rollbit which is underway as we speak. Poland vs. Tunisia to start in a couple of hours. The reason I'm surprised is that it's too closed to the date of the World Cup.
 

Yeah, the winner will most probably be from Europe because it's mostly an European sport. Like I said, only few nations outside Europe like Tunis and maybe Egipt are solid but they aren't strong enough to win the World Cup. In fact, I don't think that there ever was a nation outside Europe that won the World Cup.

I was expecting some countries in South America to have lower odds while browsing but bookies have different numbers hehe.

[dothebeats]

The last time I watched handball was during Tokyo 2021 Olympics. And before that, I guess it was during the Jakarta Palembang 2018 Asian Games. It is good to know that the International Handball Federation is organizing a mega tournament this time, with a total of 32 participants. I like the format, which ensures diversity and representation from each of the Continental Confederations. The only thing I am not comfortable with is the fact that they decided to disqualify Russia (one of the strongest teams in handball). 

I think there is no other decision as of now amongst international sports organizations but to disqualify Russia and ban them on upcoming games due to their invasion of Ukraine. For them, including Russia on events that are international might seem like they are turning a blind eye on what the current events are. It's a shame that these guys cannot play in this international tournament, and there is always an option to bear the flag of other countries in order to compete but hey, at least they are patriotic enough to not turn a blind eye on their motherland.


Currently watching the friendlies between Brazil and Korea and I must say I'm weirded out seeing people throwing the ball passionately and seeing that the goal post is very similar to football I think I've watched a few games of handball before but not at this level. Their coordination and their speed (especially the defenders) are on another level, considering that the ball that they're tossing around is really small to block or catch. Rooting for Brazil to win since their coordination is top tier and man, those blocks from the goalie is something else.

[Sithara007]

I think there is no other decision as of now amongst international sports organizations but to disqualify Russia and ban them on upcoming games due to their invasion of Ukraine. For them, including Russia on events that are international might seem like they are turning a blind eye on what the current events are. It's a shame that these guys cannot play in this international tournament, and there is always an option to bear the flag of other countries in order to compete but hey, at least they are patriotic enough to not turn a blind eye on their motherland.

During Tokyo 2021, Russian athletes competed under the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) flag. If they want to ban Russia it is OK, but don't ban the Russian athletes if they are playing under a different flag. And I don't think that only Ukrainian lives are important. Why no ban on the US, after they bombed Libya back to the stone age? Is it because Libyan lives are worth less than Ukrainian ones? Anyway who do you think will win the world cup this time? Denmark, Sweden and Norway are the top three teams as per the latest IHF rankings.

[slackovic]

I think there is no other decision as of now amongst international sports organizations but to disqualify Russia and ban them on upcoming games due to their invasion of Ukraine. For them, including Russia on events that are international might seem like they are turning a blind eye on what the current events are. It's a shame that these guys cannot play in this international tournament, and there is always an option to bear the flag of other countries in order to compete but hey, at least they are patriotic enough to not turn a blind eye on their motherland.

During Tokyo 2021, Russian athletes competed under the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) flag. If they want to ban Russia it is OK, but don't ban the Russian athletes if they are playing under a different flag. And I don't think that only Ukrainian lives are important. Why no ban on the US, after they bombed Libya back to the stone age? Is it because Libyan lives are worth less than Ukrainian ones? Anyway who do you think will win the world cup this time? Denmark, Sweden and Norway are the top three teams as per the latest IHF rankings.

I completely agree. I said that when we were discussion Russia being banned from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. I understand that the whole world wants to punish Russia for what they are doing in Ukraine, but why punish players who have nothing to do with that? The solution is what you mentioned - to allow Russian players to compete under a neutral flag.
But I also agree that Russia is not the only one that is killing innocent people. There are so many other senseless wars going on in the world and the world should take the same stand for every aggressor.

[LTU_btc]

Probably I'm not going to follow this championship very closely as my country haven't qualified to it. From last Euro championship I remember great final between Spain and Sweden, these teams is strong again, though, Denmark and France is rated a bit better.
BTW, why African teams names aren't displayed in image? It's Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egyp and Cape Verde.

The only thing I am not comfortable with is the fact that they decided to disqualify Russia (one of the strongest teams in handball). 

One of the strongest teams in handball? C'mon, return from 2000, they're not powerhouse anymore and their performances in previous EURO and Wolrd Championships in last maybe 15 years shows it.

I need to admit it, I never heard such a sport exist, to be honest, I am more curious and when I watch it on Youtube, it's just a copy-paste of football but this time they use their hands.

I know that handball isn't thing outside Europe, but I surprised that people haven't even heard about it before.

I understand that the whole world wants to punish Russia for what they are doing in Ukraine, but why punish players who have nothing to do with that? The solution is what you mentioned - to allow Russian players to compete under a neutral flag.
But I also agree that Russia is not the only one that is killing innocent people. There are so many other senseless wars going on in the world and the world should take the same stand for every aggressor.

It's long discussion and maybe this topic isn't right place, but I'll give my point of view. Do you think  Russian people (including athletes) aren't responsible for actions of president of their country, who got elected by majority of votes? And especially when many athletes support war in Ukraine (or how they call it - special operation) in public. I don't think it would be right decision to let them play, but I'm not trying to change your opinion, as you won't be able to change mine.

[Sithara007]

I completely agree. I said that when we were discussion Russia being banned from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. I understand that the whole world wants to punish Russia for what they are doing in Ukraine, but why punish players who have nothing to do with that? The solution is what you mentioned - to allow Russian players to compete under a neutral flag.
But I also agree that Russia is not the only one that is killing innocent people. There are so many other senseless wars going on in the world and the world should take the same stand for every aggressor.

Same thing is happening in other sports as well. A lot of people even want to ban individual Russian athletes and the best example is that of tennis players such as Daniil Medvedev. And more interestingly, some of the players want him banned because of his citizenship. A ban would benefit these players, as it will impact the ranking.

One of the strongest teams in handball? C'mon, return from 2000, they're not powerhouse anymore and their performances in previous EURO and Wolrd Championships in last maybe 15 years shows it.

Whatever be their recent performance, Russia would rank among the top-10 teams (their ranking International Handball Federation (IHF) ranking maybe lower because they haven't played for some time now as a result of the ban).

[slackovic]

Probably I'm not going to follow this championship very closely as my country haven't qualified to it. From last Euro championship I remember great final between Spain and Sweden, these teams is strong again, though, Denmark and France is rated a bit better.
BTW, why African teams names aren't displayed in image? It's Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egyp and Cape Verde.

I'm not sure. I saw it after I posted the image. Maybe the image was created before some final qualifying period for the African teams.

I know that handball isn't thing outside Europe, but I surprised that people haven't even heard about it before.

Yeah, it surprises me too when I find out that someone hasn't heard of handball. It's not that old a sport (the first game at the Olympics was played 1936 in Berlin), but I somehow thought that everyone should at least heard of it. I don't follow cricket and never watched it play but I heard of it

It's long discussion and maybe this topic isn't right place, but I'll give my point of view. Do you think  Russian people (including athletes) aren't responsible for actions of president of their country, who got elected by majority of votes? And especially when many athletes support war in Ukraine (or how they call it - special operation) in public. I don't think it would be right decision to let them play, but I'm not trying to change your opinion, as you won't be able to change mine.

I really don't want to bring politics to this thread so let's leave it at this. OK?


Some news about yesterday's friendly games that were played as a preparation for the championship:
Tunisia beat Brazil 29 - 24
Romania beat Algeria 33 - 25
Poland beat S. Korea 31 - 27
Egypt beat Slovakia 33 - 29
Croatia beat Italy 40 - 26

It looks like there were no surprises in the games that were played yesterday. Maybe a surprise could be Croatia winning against Italy with that big goal difference, but I'm not sure how strong Italy is. And I know that Croatia isn't the biggest favorite to win the World Cup, but they are always close.

[Sithara007]

I really don't want to bring politics to this thread so let's leave it at this. OK?

Agreed. No more politics here.

For fans in India: TV channels are not going to cover this tournament live. You can watch all the matches live on the official YouTube channel of the International Handball Federation. These streams will not be available in Europe, as IHF is having a broadcast agreement with Viaplay. Last time in 2019, IHF was having an agreement with beIN SPORTS, who broadcasted all of the matches live. Still there is a lot of time to go and IHF may enter in to media agreement with other broadcasters for countries outside Europe. 

[slackovic]

I really don't want to bring politics to this thread so let's leave it at this. OK?

Agreed. No more politics here.

For fans in India: TV channels are not going to cover this tournament live. You can watch all the matches live on the official YouTube channel of the International Handball Federation. These streams will not be available in Europe, as IHF is having a broadcast agreement with Viaplay. Last time in 2019, IHF was having an agreement with beIN SPORTS, who broadcasted all of the matches live. Still there is a lot of time to go and IHF may enter in to media agreement with other broadcasters for countries outside Europe. 

I wonder how many viewers outside Europe actually watch handball. I guess that during the last World Cup when beIN was broadcasting the World Cup in India not much viewers followed it so this year they decided that it's not worth the money.

[Sithara007]

I wonder how many viewers outside Europe actually watch handball. I guess that during the last World Cup when beIN was broadcasting the World Cup in India not much viewers followed it so this year they decided that it's not worth the money.

Well.. I am residing in India, and sorry to say that handball is not very popular here. Cricket is the main sport in India. Apart from cricket, some of the other sports such as football, tennis, badminton, field hockey and wrestling are also somewhat popular. But handball is mostly confined to school and university tournaments and there is hardly any club structure outside it. Most of the Indians watch handball when the Indian team participates in Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

Now the 2023 World Men's Handball Championship may not attract much viewership in India primarily for two reasons - first of all the Indian team is not participating. And secondly, there is not much advertising. But during the last few years, there is a rising interest within India regarding some of the "new" sports, such as rugby, baseball and netball. If the IHF provides some support for the Handball Federation of the India (HFI), then I am sure that the sport will become popular in India as well.

[slackovic]

I wonder how many viewers outside Europe actually watch handball. I guess that during the last World Cup when beIN was broadcasting the World Cup in India not much viewers followed it so this year they decided that it's not worth the money.

Well.. I am residing in India, and sorry to say that handball is not very popular here. Cricket is the main sport in India. Apart from cricket, some of the other sports such as football, tennis, badminton, field hockey and wrestling are also somewhat popular. But handball is mostly confined to school and university tournaments and there is hardly any club structure outside it. Most of the Indians watch handball when the Indian team participates in Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

Now the 2023 World Men's Handball Championship may not attract much viewership in India primarily for two reasons - first of all the Indian team is not participating. And secondly, there is not much advertising. But during the last few years, there is a rising interest within India regarding some of the "new" sports, such as rugby, baseball and netball. If the IHF provides some support for the Handball Federation of the India (HFI), then I am sure that the sport will become popular in India as well.

The biggest problem with handball is that there is not much money in the sport. Not like in football, basketball and other sports that are popular globally. The best handball player will never earn as much as any football player who plays in an European football club. When I see how much Ronaldo will be earning in his new club El Nesyri... I think that one handball club doesn't pay that much money for the whole team.

[Sithara007]

The biggest problem with handball is that there is not much money in the sport. Not like in football, basketball and other sports that are popular globally. The best handball player will never earn as much as any football player who plays in an European football club. When I see how much Ronaldo will be earning in his new club El Nesyri... I think that one handball club doesn't pay that much money for the whole team.

We can't compare handball with sports such as football, basketball (NBA), NFL and NHL. A better comparison will be with sports such as Netball and Softball. And in case of handball, it is an Olympic sports, which guarantees funding from the national sports bodies. I somehow feels that the IHF is not very aggressive, when it comes to finding sponsors and expanding the game. On the other hand, the beach handball championships normally gains a lot of hype, as they advertise the tournament in a very aggressive manner. Especially in the developed nations, a lot of attention is now being given to Olympic sports. If the IHF can come up with a proper expansion plan, then I am sure that the popularity and number of fans will increase outside Europe. And once the popularity goes up, revenue inflows will witness an uptick automatically.

[slackovic]

The biggest problem with handball is that there is not much money in the sport. Not like in football, basketball and other sports that are popular globally. The best handball player will never earn as much as any football player who plays in an European football club. When I see how much Ronaldo will be earning in his new club El Nesyri... I think that one handball club doesn't pay that much money for the whole team.

We can't compare handball with sports such as football, basketball (NBA), NFL and NHL. A better comparison will be with sports such as Netball and Softball. And in case of handball, it is an Olympic sports, which guarantees funding from the national sports bodies. I somehow feels that the IHF is not very aggressive, when it comes to finding sponsors and expanding the game. On the other hand, the beach handball championships normally gains a lot of hype, as they advertise the tournament in a very aggressive manner. Especially in the developed nations, a lot of attention is now being given to Olympic sports. If the IHF can come up with a proper expansion plan, then I am sure that the popularity and number of fans will increase outside Europe. And once the popularity goes up, revenue inflows will witness an uptick automatically.

I agree. I watched beach handball long time ago (I think it has been 15 years when my ex girlfriend played it). I think that beach handball has somewhat different rules than "normal" handball. They give extra points for attractive goals and that's why it's gaining more attention. At least that were the rules when my ex girlfriend played it. For me handball is not that attractive sport. I'm not saying that it's easy to play, but 90% of the game is infront of each team's goal and I don't like it. But that's my personal opinion.

[klidex]

I wonder how many viewers outside Europe actually watch handball. I guess that during the last World Cup when beIN was broadcasting the World Cup in India not much viewers followed it so this year they decided that it's not worth the money.

Well.. I am residing in India, and sorry to say that handball is not very popular here. Cricket is the main sport in India. Apart from cricket, some of the other sports such as football, tennis, badminton, field hockey and wrestling are also somewhat popular. But handball is mostly confined to school and university tournaments and there is hardly any club structure outside it. Most of the Indians watch handball when the Indian team participates in Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

Now the 2023 World Men's Handball Championship may not attract much viewership in India primarily for two reasons - first of all the Indian team is not participating. And secondly, there is not much advertising. But during the last few years, there is a rising interest within India regarding some of the "new" sports, such as rugby, baseball and netball. If the IHF provides some support for the Handball Federation of the India (HFI), then I am sure that the sport will become popular in India as well.

The biggest problem with handball is that there is not much money in the sport. Not like in football, basketball and other sports that are popular globally. The best handball player will never earn as much as any football player who plays in an European football club. When I see how much Ronaldo will be earning in his new club El Nesyri... I think that one handball club doesn't pay that much money for the whole team.

Yes, of course, when compared, it is clear that the difference is very far away.
In terms of handball fans, there are not that many fans of football and soccer is the most popular sport and even has a world championship event which is always looked forward to by fans and clubs of countries that have great potential in football.
There are only certain countries that still hold handball matches and even then there are very few fans.
So don't compare handball to soccer because they are clearly not compatible at all.