The intent of this page is to provide a consolidated location for 2020 Olympic Handball information that can serve both dedicated handball fans as well as newcomers just discovering the sport.
Olympic Handball Competition Schedule and Results:Link
Team Information (Official pages, previews, rosters and handy Wikipedia pages): Link
Hey, media person, just discovering handball: Think you’ve got a new idea on how the U.S. can win Olympic Handball Gold? Think again… Check out these articles dating back from 1996.
The Olympics are now less than 4 weeks away. Courtesy of 10 Bet, here are the current odds for each nation to win Gold
Women’s Olympic Handball Odds
The oddsmakers see the Women’s Olympic Handball Tournament as mostly a 3 team race between Norway, Russia and France
Norway won the 2020 European Championships this past December. They dominated their opponents in pool play, but were challenged by Denmark in the semifinals and France in the final.
Russia are the defending Olympic champions, but had a disappointing performance at the European Championships mostly due to some missing players. The good news is that 2016 Olympics MVP, Anna Viakhireva, is healthy and should be ready to go.
France are seen as the 3rd strong contender, but they are unpredictable. This past December they gave Norway all they could handle in the European Championship Final. However, a year earlier at the 2019 World Championships they didn’t even make it out of their preliminary group.
The Netherlands (12 to 1) won the World Championships in December, 2019, and their odds surely would be better if center back, Estavana Polman, wasn’t out due to an ACL. At this past December’s European Championship it was very clear that the Dutch really missed her leading the offensive attack. They may, however, have a solution if Nycke Groot returns to international play.
The next grouping of teams, Hungary (16 to 1), Montenegro (18 to 1), Spain (18 to 1) and Sweden (20 to 1) can be seen as relative outsiders, but each with a solid chance to make the semifinals.
South Korea (28 to 1) and Brazil (66 to 1) have slipped a bit in quality in recent years, but they are still capable of a surprise victory
Hosts Japan (80 to 1) have a very fast style of play, but teams will likely be ready for it.
Angola (500 to 1) the longest of the long shots and winning a match might be a reasonable goal for them.
The Olympics are now less than 4 weeks away. Courtesy of 10 Bet, here are the current odds for each nation to win Gold
Men’s Olympic Handball Odds
The defending Olympic Champions and current World Champions, Denmark are slight favorites to win the title at 2.5 to 1
The current European Champions, Spain, are right behind them at 2.75 to 1
Norway hasn’t qualified for the Olympics since 1972 and are an up and coming side. Led by Sander Sagosen, they have made the semifinals of 3 of the last 5 major tournaments
France’s performance has slipped in recent years, but they still are a threat at 5 to 1
Sweden (7.5 to 1) was the surprise runners up at the the 2021 World Championships
German (11 to 1) is the last side seen as a minor longshot.
Portugal is making its first ever Olympic appearance, but are a significant longshot at 33 to 1.
At 50 to 1, Egypt seems like a pretty good value to me. I suspect that tourney favorites, Denmark, would also agree seeing that they needed a penalty shoot out to beat them at the World Championships in January. Sure that was in Egypt, but it was without a home crowd, not unlike what we will see in Japan.
The remaining 4 sides, Japan (125 to 1), Brazil (250 to 1), Argentina (500 to 1), and Bahrain (1,000 to 1) are see as major outsiders. I think Brazil and Argentina are deserving of more respect as they are more than capable of defeating any of the European sides in the tournament.
