12 Nations will compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. 6 places were awarded directly to the host, the reigning world champion and the 4 continental federations. 6 additional places were awarded via 3 IHF Olympic Qualification Tournaments
The 12 nations and their path for qualification
France: 2011 World Champion
Spain: Winner IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament #1
Sweden: Winner, IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament #2
Croatia: Winner, IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament #3
Iceland: Runner up, IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament #3
Hungary: Runner up, IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament #2
Serbia: Runner up, IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament #1
Great Britain: Host
Denmark: European Champion
Argentina: Pan American Champion
South Korea: Asian Champion
Tunisia: African Champion
Draw
The 12 nations were drawn into two groups of 6 on May 30, 2012. Six performance rows were determined based on the order depicted above. One nation from each row was placed in either Group A or Group B. Rows 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 were determined by draw. Great Britain as the host was then allowed to choose its preferred group.
Row 1: France, Spain
Row 2: Sweden, Croatia
Row 3: Iceland Hungary
Row 4: Serbia, Great Britain
Row 5: Denmark, Argentina
Row 6: South Korea, Tunisia
Draw Results
Group A: France, Sweden, Iceland, Great Britain, Argentina, Tunisia
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Denmark, South Korea
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
DIRECT QUALIFICATION (6 Teams)
Host: Great Britain
2011 World Champion: France
Europe: Denmark
Pan-America: Argentina
Africa: Tunisia
Asia: South Korea
IHF QUALICATION TOURNAMENTS (6 Teams)
6 additional places were awarded either via 3 Olympic qualification tournaments on 6-8 April, 2012. Each tournament was a round robin of 4 nations with the top 2 nations qualifying for the Olympics. The slots for the tournaments were awarded based on results at the World Championships and respective continental championships.
IHF Qualification Tournament #1
2nd at 2011 WC (Tournament Host): Spain
7th at 2011 WC: Poland
Europe (2nd place at 2012 EC): Serbia
Africa (2nd place at 2012 African Championships): Algeria
Standings
1) Spain (3-0-0) 6 Points
2) Serbia (1-1-1) 3 Points +5 Goal Differential
3) Poland (1-1-1) 3 Points -10 Goal differential
4) Algeria (0-0-3) 0 Points
IHF Qualification Tournament #2
3rd at 2011 WC (Tournament Host): Sweden
6th at 2011 WC: Hungary
Pan America (2nd at 2011 PANAM Games): Brazil
Europe (3rd at 2012 European Championships): Macedonia
Standings
1) Sweden (3-0-0) 6 Points
2) Hungary (2-0-1) 4 Points
3) Brazil (1-0-2) 2 Points
4) Macedonia (0-0-3) 0 Points
IHF Qualification Tournament #3
4th at 2011 WC (Tournament Host): Croatia
5th at 2011 WC: Iceland
Asia (2nd at Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament): Japan
Pan America (3rd at 2011 PANAM Games): Chile
Standings
1) Croatia (3-0-0) 6 Points
2) Iceland (2-0-1) 4 Points
3) Japan (1-0-2) 2 Points
4) Chile (0-0-3) 0 Points
2011 World Championships (Held in Sweden, 13-30 January, 2011)
Qualification for 2011 WC: http://teamhandballnews.com/2011-wc-qualification-men/
Final Ranking
1) France
2) Denmark (later qualified directly as EC 2102 Champion
3) Spain (Qualifies for IHF Qualification Tournament #1) (Host)
4) Sweden (Qualifies for IHF Qualification Tournament #2) (Host)
5) Croatia (Qualifies for IHF Qualification Tournament #3) (Host)
6) Iceland (Qualifies for IHF Qualification Tournament #3)
7) Hungary (Qualifies for IHF Qualification Tournament #2)
8 ) Poland (Qualifies for IHF Qualification Tournament #1)
9) Norway
10) Serbia
11) Germany
12) Argentina (Pan America earns 2nd best continent distinction for IHF Qualification Tournaments)
13) South Korea (Asia earns 3rd best continent distinction)
14) Egypt (Africa earns 4th best continent distinction)
15) Algeria
16) Japan
17) Slovakia
18) Austria
19) Romania
20) Tunisia
21) Brazil
22) Chile
23) Bahrain
24) Australia
EUROPEAN OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION (1 Team)
The 2012 European Championships were the qualifying event for Europe. Serbia (host) and France (defending champion) directly qualified for the final tournament. The remaining 14 slots were awarded through the following qualification system
Phase 1: The 12 lowest ranked nations were divided into 3 groups of 4. Matches were played from 11-13 June, 2010, The winner of each group advanced to phase 2:
Group 1: Estonia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Great Britain
Group 2: Latvia, Italy, Finland, Georgia
Group 3: Israel, Belgium, Turkey, Luxembourg
Procedure for draw: http://www.eurohandball.com/article/012832/EHF+EURO+2012+in+Serbia
Results of competition: http://www.eurohandball.com/article/013202/2012+EHF+EURO+Qualification+Groups
Phase 2: 28 teams were drawn into 7 groups of 4. The 28 teams are:
Participants at Euro 2010 (14): Croatia, Iceland, Poland, Denmark, Spain, Norway, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Russia, Hungary, Sweden and Ukraine
Qualified for WC 2011 Playoffs (7): Greece, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and Slovakia
Next 4 highest ranked nations (4): FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Belarus and Bosnia Herzegovina
Winners from Phase 1 (3): Estonia, Latvia, Israel
Group 1: Hungary, FYR Macedonia, Bosnia/Herz., Estonia
Group 2: Croatia, Spain, Romania, Lithuania
Group 3: Poland, Slovenia, Ukraine, Portugal
Group 4: Sweden, Slovakia, Montenegro, Israel
Group 5: Germany, Iceland, Austria, Latvia
Group 6: Norway, Czech Rep., Netherlands, Greece
Group 7: Denmark, Russia, Belarus, Switzerland
These matches were played throughout the 2010-2011 season. The top 2 teams from each pool advanced to the final tournament in Serbia. Final standings and results: http://www.eurohandball.com/ech/men/2012/round/2/Qualification+2
Phase 3: European Championships: 15-29 Jan 2012, Serbia
Full Results: http://www.eurohandball.com/ech/men/2012/round/1/Final+Tournament
– Denmark, as European Champion directly qualified for the Olympics.
– Serbia, the 2nd place nation earned a spot in IHF Qualification Tournament #1)
– Macedonia, the 5th place nation earned a spot in IHF Qualification Tournament #2. Croatia and Spain placed higher, but their WC qualification spots take precedence.
Final Ranking
1) Denmark
2) Serbia (Awarded spot in IHF Qualifications Tournament as Europe #2)
3) Croatia (Awarded spot in IHF Qualification Tournament via WC)
4) Spain(Awarded spot in IHF Qualification Tournament via WC)
5) Fyr Macedonia (Awarded spot in IHF Qualifications Tournament as Europe #3)
6) Slovenia
7) Germany
8 ) Hungary(Awarded spot in IHF Qualification Tournament via WC)
9) Poland (Awarded spot in IHF Qualification Tournament via WC)
10) Iceland (Awarded spot in IHF Qualification Tournament via WC)
11) France
12) Sweden (Awarded spot in IHF Qualification Tournament via WC)
13) Norway
14) Czech Republic
15) Russia
16) Slovakia
PAN AMERICAN OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION (1 Team)
The 2011 Pan American (PANAM) Games Handball competition served as the qualification event for the Pan American region. Mexico as host received an automatic bid. The 7 other participants were determined through regional qualification events. 3 bids are awarded to South America, 2 bids for Central America/Caribbean and 1 to North America. An additional bid is awarded at a 2nd chance tournament between the 4th place South America finisher, 3rd and 4th place Central America/Caribbean finishers and the loser of the North America playoff.
South American Games (Medellin, Colombia) 19-30 March, 2010: Top 3 teams advanced to PANAM Games
A simple round robin tournament was played by the 5 teams participating.
Final Ranking
1) Brazil 4-0-0 (+58)
2) Argentina 3-0-1 (+39)
3) Chile 1-1-2 (-7)
4) Uruguay 1-1-2 (-29) Qualifies for 2nd Chance Tournament
5) Columbia 0-0-4 (-61)
Full Results: http://www.balonmanoargentina.org.ar/compinternac/odesur/odesur10.htm
Central American and Caribbean Games (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) 27 July – 1 August, 2010: Top 2 teams advanced to PANAM Games.
Group A
Mexico 3-0-0
Puerto Rico 2-0-1
Guatemala 1-0-2
El Salvador 0-0-3
Group B
Dominican Republic 2-0-0
Venezuela 1-0-1
Nicaragua 0-0-2
Semifinals
Venezuela 29 – 23 Mexico
Dominican Republic 38 – 32 Puerto Rico
Finals
Dominican Republic 40 – 28 Venezuela
Mexico 30 – 24 Puerto Rico
Final Ranking
1) Dominican Republic
2) Venezuela
3) Mexico (Already qualified for PANAM Games as host)
4) Puerto Rico (Qualifies for 2nd Chance Tournament)
5) Guatemala (Qualifies for 2nd Chance Tournament)
6) Nicaragua
7) El Salvador
North American PANAM Games Qualification: Canada and the U.S. played a 2 game series to determine the North American qualifier
21 Dec 10 @ Lake Placid USA – Canada 25-21
23 Dec 10 @ Montreal Canada – USA 25-21
Aggregate Goal Difference: 0
Away Goals Scored: 21-21
As the two teams were tied on aggregate goal differential and away goals scored a 2×5 minute overtime was played in Montreal immediately after the 2nd game. Canada won the overtime 5-2 and qualifies for the Pan American Games. The USA advances to the 2nd chance tournament.
(Note: Greenland is not recognized by the IOC or the Pan American Sports Organization and therefore does not participate in PANAM Games qualification.)
First Leg Summary: http://usateamhandball.org/news/2010/12/22/1st-leg-usa-men-win-usa-women-fall/40196?ngb_id=42
Second Leg Summary: http://usateamhandball.org/news/2010/12/23/triumph-and-heartbreak/40241?ngb_id=42
2nd Chance Tournament (Guatemala City, Guatemala) 3-5 June, 2011: 1 Team advances to PANAM Games
Participants: Uruguay, Guatemala, USA (Puerto Rico declined to participate)
3 Jun 11 Uruguay – Guatemala 20-12
4 Jun 11 Uruguay – USA 23-23
5 Jun 11 Guatemala – USA 24-38
Final Ranking
1) USA 1-1-0 3 Points (+14)
2) Uruguay 1-1-0 3 Points (+8)
3) Guatemala 0-0-2 0 Points (-22)
PANAM Games (Guadalajara, Mexico) 13-30 October: 8 Teams participate and 1 Team advances to the Olympic Games.
Participants: Mexico (Host), Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Canada, and USA
Group A
1) Brazil 3-0-0 6 Points
2) Chile 2-0-1 4 Points
3) Canada 1-0-2 2 Points
4) Venezuela 0-0-3 0 Points
Group B
1) Argentina 3-0-0 6 Points
2) Dominican Republic 2-0-1 4 Points
3) Mexico 1-0-2 2 Points
4) USA 0-0-3 0 Points
Semifinals
Brazil – Dominican Republic 41-17
Argentina – Chile 26-25
Finals
Chile – Dominican Republic 27-24
Argentina – Brazil 26-23
Final Ranking
1) Argentina (Qualifies for Olympic Games)
2) Brazil (Awarded spot in IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament #2)
3) Chile (Awarded spot IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament #3)
4) Dominican Republic
5) Canada
6) Mexico
7) USA
8 ) Venezuela
AFRICAN OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION (1 Team)
The African automatic bid was awarded to the winner of the 20th African Nations Championships, held 10-21 January, 2012 in Casabablanca, Morocco.
Qualification: African Federation Regulations calls for 12 Men’s Teams to participate. 1 Bid is awarded to the host, 4 bids to the top four finishers from the previous championships and 7 remaining bids to the top ranked African Nations based on recent competition results.
African Federation Ranking: http://www.cahbonline.info/a_telecharger/Classement_federation2011.pdf
20th African Nations Championship (Casablanca, Morocco) 10-21 January, 2012
Group A: Tunisia, Morocco, Gabon, Cameroon, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo
Group B: Egypt, Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso
1st place winner automatically qualifies for the Olympic Games
2nd place earns a spot in IHF Qualification Tournament #1
Group A
1) Tunisia 10 pts (5-0-0) +51
2) Morocco 8 pts (4-0-1) +9
3) Dem.Rep of Congo 6 pts (3-0-2) +6
4) Senegal 4 pts (2-0-3) -12
5) Congo 2 pts (1-0-4) -24
6) Gabon 0 pts (0-0-5) -30
Group B:
1) Egypt 9 pts (4-1-0) +53
2) Algeria 9 pts (4-1-0) +46
3) Angola 6 pts (3-0-2) +18
4) Cameroon 4 pts 2-0-3) +8
5) Cote d’Ivoire 2 pts (1-0-4) -56
6) Burkina Faso 0 pts (0-0-5) -59
Men’s quarterfinals
Tunisia – Cameroon 26-17
Morocco – Angola 24-22
Egypt – Senegal 31-19
Algeria – Dem. Rep. of Congo 33-31
Semifinals
Tunisia – Morocco 28-16
Egypt – Algeria 25-26
Finals
Tunisia – Algeria 23-20
Egypt – Morocco 29-15
Final Ranking
1) Tunisia
2) Algeria (Awarded spot in IHF Olympic Qualification Tournament)
3) Egypt
4) Morocco
5) Senegal
6) Angola
7) Cameroon
8 ) Dem. Rep. of Congo
9) Congo
10) Cote d’Ivoire
11) Gabon
12) Burkina Faso
ASIAN OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION (1 Team)
Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament (Seoul, South Korea), 22 October, 2011 – 2 November 2011
Group A
1) Saudi Arabia (3-0-1) 6 Points (Saudi Arabia beat Iran 22-21)
2) Iran (3-0-1) 6 Points
3) Qatar (2-1-1) 5 Points
4) Kuwait (1-1-2) 3 Points
5) Uzbekistan (0-0-4) 0 Points
Group A
1) South Korea (4-0-0) 6 Points
2) Japan (3-0-1) 6 Points
3) China (2-0-2) 5 Points
4) Oman (1-0-3) 3 Points
5) Kazakhstan (0-0-4) 0 Points
Semifinals
Japan – Saudi Arabia 22-21
South Korea – Iran 33-25
Finals
South Korea – Japan 26-21
Iran – Saudi Arabia 21-20
Final Ranking
1) South Korea
2) Japan (Awarded spot in IHF Qualification Touranment)
3) Iran
4) Saudi Arabia
5) Qatar
6) China
7) Kuwait
8 ) Oman
9) Uzbekistan
10) Kazakhstan
South Korea automatically qualifies for the Olympic Games
Japan earns a spot in IHF Qualification Tournament #3
OCEANIA OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION
Oceania does not have an automatic Qualification spot. If the Oceania representative at the 2011 World Championship had placed from 8th to 12th, Oceania would have earned a spot for IHF Qualification Tournament #3. Australia (Oceania’s 2011 WC representative) placed 24th.
For reference 2008 qualification can be reviewed here: http://teamhandballnews.com/2008-olympic-qualification-men/