The Coolest Sport You've NEVER
Seen
Team Handball Is the World's Best-Kept Sports Secret
| Team handball was one of the hottest (and coolest) sports at the 1996 Summer Olympics, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Before we go any further, let's make one thing clear: Team handball has nothing to do with the slap-the-ball-against-a-wall game that is called handball in America.
Team handball is a fast-paced game with rocket-shot goals, tough defense, and bruised goalies.
It looks like indoor soccer, but players can use their hands to pass, dribble, and shoot.
Also, the ball is smaller and harder than a soccer ball. Each team has six players and a goalie on the court. Only the goalie is allowed inside a special semi-circular line that is painted six meters from the goal. Players cannot take shots from inside the line unless they take off outside of the line and release the ball before landing inside it. This means hard-throwing goalmongers are constantly flying through the air and blitzing the goal with that hard, nasty ball. To help take some of the sting out of the ball, the goalies wear sweatsuits. But they still take an awful pounding when blocking shots. Team handball is popular in many parts of the world. It was a crowd favorite at the Olympics. The world's top teams definitely didn't disappoint anyone in Atlanta. Spain edged France, 27-25, in the bronze medal game. In the gold medal game, Croatia upset Sweden, 27-26. These super-close, super-exciting games had crowds in the Georgia Dome waving flags and yelling like maniacs. The Croatian fans went craziest of all as their team captured Croatia's first Olympic gold medal. © Sports Illustrated, Photo credits: Top and middle photos © Nik Kleinberg; "Crazy Fan" photo © Dan Petroski |
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