Category Archives: Podcast

USA Handball Talk (Episode 24): Christmas in July Beach Handball Special

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Jacob Roberts fills in for JD and he and John discuss the North American & Caribbean Club Championships, the IHF Beach Handball Showcase and upcoming Beach Handball events in North America this summer.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • Jacob Roberts on social media: IG, FB USATH Profile
  • Kentucky Stags Handball Club: IG, FB, Twitter
  • Univ of Kentucky Handball: IG
  • The UK and Stags Coach, Ruben Humada: Linked In, IG, FB
  • John’s commentary on how a new collegiate program could quickly compete for a national title: Link
  • The movie Highlander: Link (starring Christopher Lambert)
  • The movie Braveheart: Link (starring Mel Gibson)
  • NACHC Club Championship: Link Results and Leading Scorers
  • John’s commentary on how the LA teams aren’t really from LA: Link
  • FISU World Handball University Championships: Link
  • IHF Profiles on USA athletes participating in the Beach Handball Showcase: Christine Mansour, Ebiye Udo-Udoma and Drew Donlin 
  • Beach Handball Showcase Schedule: Link
  • Article/commentary regarding the IHF statement that they “will not tolerate any reduction of the indoor handball quota at the Olympics”: Link
  • Upcoming Beach Handball Tourneys

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great  handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 23): DEFCON 3

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JD and John discuss the Paris 2024 Olympics Promotion Working Group, the results and statisics from the Jr Womens World Championship, how the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary style might work for the U.S. Women’s Team and the upcoming NACHC Club championships.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • DEFCON 5 means normal conditions and DEFCON 1 means war is imminent: Link (So a lower number DEFCON is worse, not better, and this sometimes results in confusion.)
  • John and JD discussed their participation on a Paris 2024 Olympics Promotion Working Group. A link with more information on how others can volunteer will be provided when it’s available.
  • 2020 Jr Women’s World Championships Information page: Link
  • 2024 USA Jr WC Statistics: Link
  • John’s new obsession: FX’s Welcome to Wrexham: Link
  • According to Ryan Reynold’s Wikipedia page he is a dual Canadian-American citizen since 2018
  • English soccer’s pyramid… which is really more of a tower at the top: Link
  • 2024 NACHC Club Championship website: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great  handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 22): Wow, there’s a lot of Handball Going on

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JD and John discuss the US Handball Union Vegas tourney, the Men’s and Women’s World Beach Handball Championships, the U20 Women’s Championships and the recent resignation of two USA Team Handball Board of Directors.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • John’s commentary on USA Handball “National” Championships: Link
  • 2024 World Beach Handball Championship Information Page: Link
  • Ebiye Udo-Udoma, the Handball Ninja, commented on the episode’s YouTube page, that sets is the most common terminology used for beach handball. Additionally, the first two sets are sometimes informally referred to as “halves.”
  • The 22 shots (11 round shootout) at the 2017 U17 EHF Men’s final (queued up to the mentioned saves): Link
  • 2024 Women’s Jr World Handball Championship: Link
  • Side note: JD and John thought the 55.5 goals Over/Under for the USA-UZB was off. It was, but not in the direction we thought. The final score was UZB 42, USA 25
  • John obliquely referenced the infamous Cesson-Rennes – Montpellier match betting scandal
  • USA Team Handball announcement on Board of Director resignations: Link
  • John’s commentary from the last time there was a short handed Board of Directors in 2013: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great  handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 21): Keeping up with the USA Team Handball Women

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JD and John discuss entities that might be interested in a handball reality show and the upcoming US Handball Union Championship in Las Vegas.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 20): Death, Taxes and the Group of Death

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JD and John discuss the 2025 IHF Handball World Championships draw and mercenary teams at the U.S. National Championships.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • 2025 IHF World Championship Draw: Link
  • 2025 IHF World Championship Draw: Link
  • 2023 Gensidige Cup results: Link
  • John’s commentary on the 2024 National Champions, California Eagles roster: Link
  • The 1990 CalHeat National Championship team which was mostly Americans with a few expats; over time club teams have become the reverse: mostly expats with a few Americans
1990 USA National Champions (San Francisco CalHeat)

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 19): Roam Around the Handball World

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JD and John discuss USA National Teams in action on three continent: The USA Men friendly matches in Europe, the USA Men at the NORCA Championships and both Men’s and Women’s Beach National Teams in Brazil.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • B-52’s Roam (Around the World): Link
  • Athens (GA) Rock Lobsters: Link (actually a minor league ice hockey team)
    • B-52’s Rock Lobster: Link
    • Note: Next week’s music segment will continue to discuss the Athens alternative music scene of the 1980’s and will feature R.E.M. as John has their entire discography
  • The Savanna Bananas: Link (Yes, they’ve transitioned to a travelling road show)
  • Ichthyosaur: John’s proposed nickname for the Las Vegas Handball Club he helped start: Link (His suggestion did not gain traction and Scorpions was selected. He still has the DC Diplomats, though to claim)
  • The originations of the Wild Card: Germany was eliminated in 2015 World Championship qualification and it became very apparent that this would be very detrimental to the value of the TV rights in the largest handball market. Australia was removed on shaky grounds: Link
  • France vs USA Video highlights: Link
  • Abou Fofana Highlight Reel: Link
  • Handnews.fr match summary: Link
  • 2024 NORCA Championship: USA Men’s Goals Scored
  • 2024 NORCA Championship: USA Men’s Goals Scored by position
  • Native American, Billy Mills won a gold medal in the 10K at the 1964 Olympics and his daughter played on an Olympic Festival team
  • Here’s an article from the LA Times on the Native American Sports Council Handball team: Link
  • IHF Beach Gloabal Tour Stage 1: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 18): Oh, America

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JD and John discuss the USA Men’s opening match vs Mexico at the NORCA Championships, handball streaming and the USA National Championships which actually had more Canadians than Americans participating in it.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • 2024 Men’s NORCA Competition website: Link
    • Competition Schedule: Link
    • Results: Link
  • January 2008 commentary on the 2008 European Championships (The last and perhaps only time the EHF charged for streaming): Link
  • Streaming platforms
    • USA Team Handball’s Joymo streaming platform: Link ($4.99 this past weekend)
    • Typical High School streaming service: Link ($79.99/year or $11.99/month; also available per event)
    • ehfTV: Link (Free)
    • HBL-TV: Link (39.99 Euros/season)
  • USA National Championship Results: Link
  • John’s commentary on more Canadians than Americans playing at the recent USA National Championships: Link
  • Social media post on San Francisco CalHeat’s 2nd team which had more Americans and younger athletes than the typical USA club team: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 17): March Madness Meets April Awesomeness

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JD and John discuss the USA Men’s roster for the upcoming NORCA Championships, the College Women’s results and whether the College Handball Championships should change formats to an Elite Eight knockout format. results of last weekend’s Collegiate Handball Championships.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • The Sportico Podcast: Link
    • We’ve copied their show opening and practice of giving a name for each episode
    • It’s a great podcast if you’re interested in sports business
  • The USA Team Handball roster announcement: Link
  • Collegiate Women’s Handball results: Link
  • A profile on the Women’s MVP, Ariane Clerc: Link
  • John’s proposed new format for College Nationals: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics, a title for our podcast or have some intro music you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 16): College Handball Groundhog Day

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[MVP Gary Phillips led West Point Black to yet another title (photo: Rod Apfelbeck)]

JD and John discuss the results of last weekend’s Collegiate Handball Championships. Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

The ongoing North American Beach Handball Championships:

  • The Ground Hog Day reference is from the 1993 movie starring Bill Murray: Link (One might think referencing such a classic movie wouldn’t be necessary, but you’d be surprised)
  • NORCA Beach Handball:
    • Streaming: Link
    • Full Results (IHF): Link
    • Note: Puerto Rico placed 2nd in both the Men’s and Women’s competition and qualified for the World Championships
  • 2024 Collegiate Handball Championship Results: Link
  • Commentary: Why just about any college could start a handball program and quickly challenge for a national title: Link
  • All Star Teams: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics, a title for our podcast or have some intro music you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 15): College Nationals Preview

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US Handball Union Executive Director, Michael King joins the podcast to discuss this weekend’s College National Championships. Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

Current News Items

  • The ongoing North American Beach Handball Championships:
    • Video (Live and On Demand): Link
    • Canada’s remarkable comeback vs Mexico: Link
    • Results:
  • USA Sr Men Friendly vs France on May 11th: Link

College Nationals Preview

  • The Men’s Tournament Divisions
    • Pittsburgh will play in D1 if they North Carolina Friday night; they will drop to D2 if they lose
    • San Jose St will play in D1 if they beat West Point (Black); they will drop to D2 if they lose
  • Tournament Schedule: Link

  • Men’s season record with college vs college matches in parentheses
    • D1
      • West Point (Black)  8-1 (5-0)
      • West Point (Gold)  9-5 (4-1)
      • Air Force 5-6 (0-1)
      • North Carolina (Carolina) 7-5-1 (5-2)
      • Ohio St (Scarlet) 19-0-1 (18-0)
    • TBD (Will play in D1 or D2)
      • Pittsburgh  13-7 (11-6)
      • San Jose St  0-0 (0-0)
    • D2
      • James Madison 9-6 (12-9)
      • Case Western Reserve 11-8 (10-7)
      • Ohio St (Gray) 9-14 (9-11)
      • North Carolina (Tar Heels) 3-10 (3-6)
      • Miami (OH) 7-16 (7-15)
      • Auburn 0-5 (0-3)
      • Olin 0-0 (0-0)
      • SUNY Cortland 0-0 (0-0)
  • D2 Format
    • Matches with 1 solid and 1 dashed line have both the winner and loser moving on in the bracket
    • Matches with just 1 solid line are “elimination” matches; the winner advances, but the loser is either finished or will play consolation matches
  • Women’s Teams
    • West Point (Black)
    • West Point (Gold)
    • North Carolina (Carolina)
    • Ohio St
    • North Carolina (Tar Heels)
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USA Handball Talk (Episode 14): Hungary, Hungary Hippo

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We cover a couple or recent news items and then discuss the Ohio State Handball Club’s Spring Break trip to Hungary. Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • The Hungry, Hungry Hippo Board Game: Link
  • TSV Bayer Dormagen article on Patrick Hueter “stepping away” next season: Link
  • The IHF Beach Handball Showcase: Link
  • IOC Rep, Kit McConnell explaining why beach handball (and several other proposed “disciplines”) weren’t added to the LA 2028 Olympic Program: Link
  • Dragan Dukic (Tatabanya’s Coach): Link
  • Scrimmage vs the Tatabanya youth team: Link
  • My view during the Olympic Qualification Tournament matches: Link
  • How combining handball development with traditional touristy travel is a better cultural experience
  • How Mark Cuban helps USA rugby and his college rugby club: Link
  • The business opportunity for a “Handball Travel Company” to arrange more trips for USA Collegiate Clubs
  • Rugby tour company: Link
  • Travel Company that advertised in the early days of the Team Handball News Website that ripped off some handball travellers: Link

Finally, a big shout out to USA Women’s Coach, Edina Borsos, for her help with arranging the logistics for the trip.

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics, a title for our podcast or have some intro music you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 13): D-3 Athletes are Athletes, Too

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We chat about professional indoor lacrosse, the upcoming Ohio State spring break trip to Hungary and some more discussion on scholarship sports and what the talent level of the U.S. men is compared to collegiate basketball

Here are some topics and links to what was discussed:

  • According to this National League Lacrosse Statistics website the attendance for the Saskatchewan Rush – Colorado Mammoth match was 10,449. I think the only pro handball club in the world that regularly beats that match attendance is Kiel. And, indoor lacrosses is a pretty minor sport in the U.S….
  • Box Lacrosse GK: Wikipeida with photo
  • A philosopical discussion on the goal dimensions for handball and other sports with a goal keeper
  • Bandy: Wikipedia USA Bandy (An actual team sport with an even smaller USA profile)
  • Lufthansa Strike: Link
  • Moneyball Handball:  Commentary and analysis regarding how USA Team Handball should apply “Money Ball” like tactics to identify and recruit athletes for its National Teams  (November  – December 2013)
    • Part 1: Broad Categories for Athlete Identification: Link
    • Part 2: Pushing the Outside of the Recruiting Envelope: Link
    • Part 3: USA Team Handball Recruiting (Past, Present and Future): Time for a Change in Mindset: Link
  • Grinnell College Basketball: Wikipedia
  • How long would it have taken one of the all time great USA Center Backs (Bob Djokovich) to get to Ian Hueter’s level?: Bob Djokovich (Wikipedia)
  • Athletes that NCAA D1 recruiters missed: Dalton Knecht Derrick White
  • Commentary with USA Team Handball quote to start focus on former NCAA athlete recruitment: Link
  • If the current U.S. Men’s handball played basketball as their chosen sport where would they land on the NCAA talent scale.

And, sorry for the technical difficulties…

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics, a title for our podcast or have some intro music you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 12): G-G-G Unit; G League

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Pat Spencer, was the top Collegiate lacrosse player in 2019. He then used his 5th year of eligibility to play college basketball, played basketball professionally in Europe and now has signed a 2 way contract which allows him to play in the NBA and the NBA’s G League. He was a good high school basketball player (so not entirely new to the sport), but this is still a remarkable talent transfer story and was our entry point for a broader discussion on talent transfer and NCAA scholarships.

Here are some topics and links to what was discussed:

  • Article on USA GK, Sophie Fasold signing with Buxtehuder SV  Link 
  • The challenges of a 3 GK and 2 GK tandem
  • Andreas Wolff with the greatest “caught” save of all time: Link
  • USA Women’s National Team Instgram: Link
  • Article on Pat Spencer signing with the Golden State Warriors: Link
  • Pat Spencer Lacrosse highlights: Link
  • JD on why lacrosse is a good sport to find handball talent transfer athletes
  • John on why he sees basketball as the best candidate sport for talent transfer
  • JD on how one’s basketball shooting ability (lack of) might logically steer an athlete to handball
  • NCAA sports and scholarship discussion: Wikipedia
    • Key point 1: Some sports have more scholarships available
    • Key point 2: Some sports are “Head Count” (all full ride scholarships) and some sports are “Equivalency” (scholarship awards can (and, usually are) split into partial scholarships)
  • Why, on average “Head Count” sports are more likely to have more talented athletes

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics, a title for our podcast or have some intro music you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link