Handball at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Can France sweep again?
Handball is one of the four sports that gets started before the opening ceremony. The indoor sport is traditionally dominated by Europeans, and France will be hoping to sweep in their home Olympics.
The Basics
The modern version of Handball is played on an indoor court measuring 40m x 20m between two teams of seven players each. Players can take up to three steps without dribbling and can hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds. The team with the most goals at the end of the two 30-minute halves wins.
Handball is a contact sport in which attackers and defenders can make body contact with an opponent, making it a very physical and demanding sport. Offensive strategies are even encouraged, as passive play is illegal. Endurance and strength are therefore vital qualities for the players; however, this sport also involves tactics, teamwork, and flexibility, as all players alternate between attack and defense.
The Format
Both men & women use the same format. 12 teams are divided into 2 groups of 6. A round-robin of 5 matches is used to narrow the field from 12 to 8. Top 4 in each group advance to Quarterfinals. After that we have a standard single elimination bracket.
What Nations Are Historically Good?
Here are all the teams with top-4 finishes since 2008
WOMEN (W/D/L)
#1 Norway: 26-1-5 (1st in 2008, 1st in 2012, 3rd in 2016, 3rd in 2021)
#2 Russia: 22-3-5 (2nd in 2008, 1st in 2016, 2nd in 2021)
#3 France: 17-2-9 (2nd in 2016, 1st in 2021)
#4 Montenegro: 6-1-12 (2nd in 2012)
#5 South Korea: 11-4-12 (3rd in 2008, 4th in 2012)
#6 Spain: 10-1-7 (3rd in 2012)
#7 Sweden: 8-2-15 (4th in 2021)
#8 Netherlands: 6-2-6 (4th in 2016)
#9 Hungary: 5-1-8 (4th in 2008)
MEN (W/D/L)
#1 France: 21-1-4 (1st in 2008, 1st in 2012, 2nd in 2016, 1st in 2021)
#2 Denmark: 18-2-8 (1st in 2016, 2nd in 2021)
#3 Spain: 14-0-8 (3rd in 2008, 3rd in 2021)
#4 Sweden: 10-0-9 (2nd in 2012)
#5 Iceland: 9-2-3 (2nd in 2008)
#6 Croatia: 15-0-7 (4th in 2008, 3rd in 2012)
#7 Germany: 11-1-7 (3rd in 2016)
#8 Egypt: 6-3-9 (4th in 2021)
#9 Poland: 6-1-7 (4th in 2016)
#10 Hungary: 3-0-5 (4th in 2012)
Who is Participating This Year?
Here are the 12 participants in each tournament sorted by IHF ranking
WOMEN
#1 France
#2 Netherlands
#3 Denmark
#4 Sweden
#5 Norway
#6 Germany
#7 Spain
#10 Hungary
#12 Brazil
#13 Slovenia
#15 South Korea
#16 Angola
MEN
#1 France
#2 Denmark
#3 Norway
#4 Spain
#5 Egypt
#6 Sweden
#8 Hungary
#9 Croatia
#12 Germany
#13 Slovenia
#14 Japan
#22 Argentina
Schedule
July 25th: Women’s Pool Play (6 games)
July 27th: Men’s Pool Play (6 games)
July 28th: Women’s Pool Play (6 games)
July 29th: Men’s Pool Play (6 games)
July 30th: Women’s Pool Play (6 games)
July 31st: Men’s Pool Play (6 games)
August 1st: Women’s Pool Play (6 games)
August 2nd: Men’s Pool Play (6 games)
August 3rd: Women’s Pool Play (6 games)
August 4th: Men’s Pool Play (6 games)
August 6th: Women’s Quarterfinals (4 games)
August 7th: Men’s Quarterfinals (4 games)
August 8th: Women’s Semifinals (2 games)
August 9th: Men’s Semifinals (2 games)
August 10th: Women’s 3rd Place Game + Final
August 11th: Men’s 3rd Place Game + Final