How to watch the Olympic Qualification Tournaments

• If you live in a country where there is no TV broadcast the matches should be available on the IHF YouTube Channel. Those matches can be accessed here and I will be posting a daily preview with direct links to each match video (see below).
• If you live in a country where there is a TV broadcast you may be geo-blocked out of accessing the IHF YouTube Channel. This is often the case even for matches that are not available on YouTube. It is, however, usually possible to watch matches using VPN. More information on how to use VPN; What I use) (Note: I would encourage handball fans to watch matches on TV when possible as usually get a better picture, but if there isn’t a TV broadcast available where you live… what else are you going to do?)
• USA Residents: There is no USA TV broadcast and matches should be available on YouTube
• Canadian Residents: The CBC will be live streaming the matches with English commentary: Link

Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online year round? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: Twitter Facebook Instagram

While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until March 28. Because of this CET is currently 5 hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of 10 Bet.

Tournament 1 Polideportivo Pla de l’Arc, Llíria, Spain)

• Argentina vs Spain (-10.5) (Sunday, 1930 CET / 1430 US ET) Video Link
  • Sweden beat Argentina by 13 yesterday and has qualified for Tokyo. Spain is also expected to have a big win, but on paper Argentina has a chance. If they can pull off an epic upset and beat Spain they will qualify for the Olympics.

Tournament 2 (Audi Aréna, Győr, Hungary)

• Serbia (-13.5) vs Kazakhstan (Sunday, 1730 CET / 1230 US ET) Video Link
  • This tournament has been decided and this match will simply determine who meaninglessly finishes in 3rd place.
• Hungary vs Russia (-1.5) (Sunday, 2030 CET / 1530 US ET) Video Link
  • Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
  • Hungary and Russia have both qualified for Tokyo, but this match will determine seeding for the Olympic draw.

Tournament 3 (Verde Complex, Podgorica, Montenegro)

• Montenegro (-0.5) vs Romania (Sunday, 1600 CET / 1100 US ET) Video Link
  • Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
  • On paper, Romania still has a chance to qualify for Tokyo, but they are in a big goal differential hole behind Montenegro and Norway. To guarantee qualification they have the tall task of beating hosts, Montenegro by 6 goals or more. (See below for scenarios.)
  • If Romania lose or win by 4 goals or less they will finish 3rd.
  • A Romania victory by exactly 5 goals could result in some interesting scenarios.
    • A 30-25 Romania victory would result in Romania and Montenegro qualifying and Norway staying home. (GF would be ROU: 54; MNE: 53; NOR: 52) Wins of 31-26, 32-27, etc. will have the same result.
    • A 29-24 Romania victory would result in Romania qualifying and Montenegro and Norway drawing lots. GF would be ROU: 53; MNE:52; NOR: 52
    • A 28-23 Romania victory would result in Romania and Norway qualifying and Montenegro staying home. (GF would be ROU: 52; NOR:52; MNE: 51) Wins of 27-22, 26-21, etc., will have the same result.

How to watch the Olympic Qualification Tournaments

• If you live in a country where there is no TV broadcast the matches should be available on the IHF YouTube Channel. Those matches can be accessed here and I will be posting a daily preview with direct links to each match video (see below).
• If you live in a country where there is a TV broadcast you may be geo-blocked out of accessing the IHF YouTube Channel. This is often the case even for matches that are not available on YouTube. It is, however, usually possible to watch matches using VPN. More information on how to use VPN; What I use) (Note: I would encourage handball fans to watch matches on TV when possible as usually get a better picture, but if there isn’t a TV broadcast available where you live… what else are you going to do?)
• USA Residents: There is no USA TV broadcast and matches should be available on YouTube
• Canadian Residents: The CBC will be live streaming the matches with English commentary: Link

Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online year round? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: Twitter Facebook Instagram

While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until March 28. Because of this CET is currently just 5 hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of 10 Bet.

Tournament 1 Polideportivo Pla de l’Arc, Llíria, Spain)

• Sweden (-8.5) vs Argentina (Saturday, 1815 CET / 1315 US ET) Video Link
  • Spain and Sweden played to a draw to open this qualifying tournament and now both of those teams will play Argentina and both will be favored to win by a significant margin. Because they tied, 1st and 2nd place will now likely be determined by whoever beats Argentina by more goals.

Tournament 2 (Audi Aréna, Győr, Hungary)

• Serbia vs Hungary (-1.5) (Saturday, 1730 CET / 1230 US ET) Video Link
  • Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
  • With Serbia losing yesterday as expected to Russia 29-24 this match is very likely to settle 2nd place in the tournament. Hungary easily beat Serbia 38-26 just a few months ago at the European Championships and is missing a key player in Andrea Lekic. But, as this IHF article suggests this is a different Serbian team and they know this is a pivotal match.
  • A Hungarian victory will qualify Hungary for Tokyo.
  • A Serbian victory will probably qualify Serbia, but it would have to await the outcome of the Hungary-Russia match on Sunday. A victory by Hungary over Russia would set up a 3 way tie that would be settled by goal differential.
• Russia (-22.5) vs Kazakhstan (Saturday, 2030 CET / 1530 US ET) Video Link
  • Based on Hungary’s 27 goal victory over Kazakhstan yesterday, Russia should have no problems today.

Tournament 3 (Verde Complex, Podgorica, Montenegro)

• Norway (-6.5) vs Romania (Saturday, 1930 CET / 1430 US ET) Video Link
  • Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
  • This match was supposed to confirm Norway’s status as the winner of the tournament, but thanks to Montenegro’s huge surprise 28-23 victory over Norway this is now the likely battle for 2nd place. Undoubtedly, Romania will be taking notes as to how Montenegro effectively slowed down Norway’s offense and will try to accomplish the same feat.
  • A Romanian victory will qualify Romania for Tokyo and will eliminate Norway
  • A Norway win will not guarantee them qualification as a Romanian victory over Montenegro on Sunday would set up a 3 way tie that would be settled by goal differential. Every plus goal improves Norway’s chances and a 6 goal victory would guarantee them qualification for Tokyo. Conversely, a win by just 1-3 goals would likely require a big Romanian victory over Montenegro. (see below for details)

3 Way Tie Scenarios

This chart depicts possible Goal Differential combinations. The first column shows the goal differential standings after yesterday’s game. The 2nd column shows what the standings after today’s Norway-Romania match based on different margins of victory. The 3rd column shows different possibilities after the 3rd and final match between Romania and Montenegro. Green = Qualification; Red = Eliminated and Yellow = Tied (with the next tiebreaker being offensive goals scored)

• This post only has links for club matches this weekend. For Olympic Qualification information see these posts:
  • Friday, 19 March: Link
  • Saturday, 20 March: Link
  • Sunday, 21 March: Link

Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: Twitter Facebook Instagram

While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until March 28. Because of this CET is currently 5 just hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of Bet MGM and/or OddsPortal.

American Athletes in Action

• HBL 2 (Germany)
  • Dormagen vs Hamburg (-3.5) (Friday, 1930) CET): Link (VPN required; More info; What I use)
    • Ian and Patrick Hueter play for Dormagen. 
    • A huge challenge for 5th place Dormagen as they host 1st place Hamburg, a team all but destined to get promoted to the 1st division
• Liga ASOBAL (Spain)
  • Leon (-2.5) vs Granollers (Saturday, 1800 CET): Video Link ***Postponed***
    • Drew Donlin plays defense and circle runner for Leon.
    • Leon took 2nd in the Copa del Rey and got a win mid-week win vs Cuenca (29-21). Currently in 6th place in the standings they take on 4th place Granollers. With just a point separating them a win could leap frog them into 4th place
  • Huesca (-8.5) vs Cisne (Saturday, 1930 CET): Video Link
    • Alex Chan Blanco plays center back for Cisne
    • Cisne is currently in last place and they have a big challenge taking on 3rd place Huesca.
• D2F (France)
  • Bouillargues Handball Nîmes Métropole vs As Cannes Mandelieu vs Belles-sur-Celles (Saturday, 1800 CET): Video Link 
    • Nicole Andersen plays defense and left back for Cannes
    • Last Saturday Cannes played undefeated Belles-sur-Celles close for much of the game but ended up losing 17-25. They face another stiff challenge this week vs 2nd place Boulillargues.
• HBF 2 (Germany)
  • TSV Nord Harrislee vs HSV Solingen-Gräfrath  (Saturday, 1730): Video Link
    • Sophie Fasold is a GK for Harrislee
    • 7th place Harrislee had their 9 game winning streak end last Saturday. They look to start a new one vs 5th place Grafrath.

Other Matches this Weekend

• LIDL Star Ligue (France):  LNH TV 
  • Cesson-Rennes vs Toulouse (-1.5)  (Saturday, 1800 CET) Video Link
  • Limoges (-1.5) vs Chambery (Saturday, 1900 CET) Video Link
  • Paris S-G (-9.5) vs Ivry (Saturday, 1900 CET)  Video Link
  • Chartres (-1.5) vs Istres (Sunday, 1600 CET) Video Link
• Liga ASOBAL (Spain): LaLigaSportsTV
  • Nava vs Irun (-4.5) (Saturday, 1200 CET) Video Link
  • Barcelona (-16.5) vs Cantabria (Saturday, 1930 CET) Video Link
  • Anaitasuna (-5.5) vs Aranda (Saturday, 2030 CET) Video Link
  • Cangas vs Cuenca (-2.5) (Sunday, 1900 CET) Video Link

How to watch the Olympic Qualification Tournaments

• If you live in a country where there is no TV broadcast the matches should be available on the IHF YouTube Channel. Those matches can be accessed here and I will be posting a daily preview with direct links to each match video (see below).
• If you live in a country where there is a TV https://www.ihf.info/media-center/news/how-watch-tokyo-handball-qualification-2020-womens-tournamentsbroadcast you may be geo-blocked out of accessing the IHF YouTube Channel. This is often the case even for matches that are not available on YouTube. It is, however, usually possible to watch matches using VPN. More information on how to use VPN; What I use) (Note: I would encourage handball fans to watch matches on TV when possible as usually get a better picture, but if there isn’t a TV broadcast available where you live… what else are you going to do?)
• USA Residents: There is no USA TV broadcast and matches should be available on YouTube
• Canadian Residents: The CBC will be live streaming the matches with English commentary: Link

Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online year round? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: Twitter Facebook Instagram

While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until March 28. Because of this CET is currently 5 just hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of Odds Portal.

Tournament 1 Polideportivo Pla de l’Arc, Llíria, Spain)

Overview: This tournament was originally going to be 4 teams, but Senegal withdrew due to ongoing social and economic crisis. On paper Spain and Sweden are huge favorites to advance unless Argentina can pull off a big upset. It’s at least conceivably possible as Argentina played Sweden relatively close at the 2019 World Championships losing 30-23 (14-11).

• Spain (-1.5) vs Sweden (Friday, 2100 CET / 1600 US ET) Video Link
  • Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
  • Barring an upset by Argentina later in the tournament this match will like determine seeding for the Olympic Tournament draw.

Tournament 2 (Audi Aréna, Győr, Hungary)

Overview: While this is a 4 team tournament on paper it’s hard to see Kazakhstan getting a win here. Russia is the defending Olympic Champion and they will be big favorites to advance. Hungary as the host of the tournament has the edge on Serbia and they also easily beat Serbia 38-26 just a few months ago at the European Championships.

• Kazakhstan vs Hungary (-19.5) (Friday, 1700 CET / 1200 US ET) Video Link
  • Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
  • Hungary and Kazakhstan met at the 2019 World Championships and Hungary had an easy 39-15 victory.
• Russia (-4.5) vs Serbia (Friday, 2000 CET / 1500 US ET) Video Link
  • Russia is a solid favorite over Serbia in this opening match.

Tournament 3 (Verde Complex, Podgorica, Montenegro)

Overview: This tournament was originally going to be in Norway, but had to be moved due to coronavirus restrictions there. It was also supposed to have an Asian Federation team, but one by one they dropped out due to challenges related to the pandemic. Norway, recent winners of the European Championships are the clear favorites and this means that a Montenegro-Romania showdown on Sunday will likely determine who gets the 2nd ticket. At the 2019 World Championships Montenegro edged Romania 27-26.

• Norway (-4.5) vs Montenegro (Friday, 1930 CET / 1430 US ET) Video Link
  • Norway will have their status as favorites tested by the tourney hosts, Montenegro.

NOTE: The U.S. and Canada Start Daylight Saving Time (DST) on Sunday 14 March, but Europe doesn’t start until 28 March. So USA and Canadian residents need to subtract 1 hour less than normal.

CET is currently 5 hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of 10 Bet.

Great handball is available for web stream viewing almost all year long. Follow Team Handball News on social media to receive regular updates on upcoming matches: Twitter Facebook Instagram

Tournament 1 (Verde Complex, Podgorica, Montenegro)

• Brazil (-6.5) vs Chile (Sunday, 1730 USET / 1230 US ET) Video Link
  • Brazil’s 30-24 victory over S Korea yesterday puts them in a good position to secure 2nd place in this tournament and to to qualify for the Olympics. Assuming S Korea loses to Norway, Brazil will qualify with a win, draw or even with a loss to Chile by 3 goals or less.
  • A 4 goal Chile victory would see Chile head to Tokyo. While unlikely, Chile did upset Brazil 32-29 at the 2019 PANAM Games. Chile lost 38-23 to Norway yesterday, but rested some of their players for the Brazil match.
• S Korea vs Norway (-9.5) (Sunday, 2000 CET / 1500 US ET) Video Link
  • Barring a remarkable performance by S Korea, Norway should have no problems securing their 3rd victory.

Tournament 2 (AccorHotels Arena, Paris)

• Croatia (-7.5) vs Tunisia (Sunday, 1830 CET / 1330 US ET) Video Link
  • Croatia needs to take care of business vs Tunisia and then hope for a French win or draw vs Portugal
• Portugal vs France (-2.5) (Sunday, 2100 CET / 1600 US ET) Video Link
  • Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
  • On Saturday, Portugal was up 16-10 vs Croatia early in the 2nd half and seemed to be on their way to Tokyo, but a furious Croatian comeback resulted in a 25-24 win for Croatia. All is not lost, however, as a Portugal win over France will see them qualify thanks to a guaranteed goal differential advantage over Croatia or France.
  • Beating France, of course, is easier said than done and there’s definitely some history between these two sides. With a World Championship quarterfinal spot on the line in January, France crushed Portugal 32-23. But, a year earlier, Portugal helped send France home in the Preliminary Group phase of the European Championships with a 28-25 victory.
  • France for all practical purposes has probably qualified as it will likely take an 8 goal loss vs Portugal for them to slip behind Croatia in the goal differential standings. (see below)

• Should France lose by 7 to Portugal, Head to Head goals for the 3 matches is the next tiebreaker. Croatia’s GF is 51, and France’s GF will be 30 plus whatever they score vs Portugal, so if they score 22 goals or more they would qualify. If they score 20 or less Croatia would qualify.
• Should France lose 28-21, Croatia and France would be tied at 51 on head to head goals. The next tiebreaker is goal differential in all matches… Enough. If this looks like it might happen I’ll tweet the details.

Tournament 3 (Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin)

• Algeria vs Germany (-10.5) (Sunday, 1545 CET / 1045 US ET) Video Link
  • Heavily favored Germany should officially punch their ticket with a victory over Algeria
• Sweden (-2.5) vs Slovenia (Sunday, 1815 CET / 1315 US ET) Video Link
  • Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
  • Slovenia was demolished by Germany, 36-27 on Saturday, but that loss will be easily forgotten with a win over Sweden. The math is simple (assuming Germany beats Algeria): Slovenia wins they Qualify for Tokyo. If Sweden wins or the match is a draw, Sweden qualifies.