Category Archives: Podcast

USA Handball Talk (Episode 18): Oh, America

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:11 — 30.6MB)

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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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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:07 — 31.1MB)

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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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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:20 — 29.7MB)

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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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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:40 — 28.2MB)

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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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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:40 — 30.7MB)

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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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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:33 — 32.0MB)

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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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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:38 — 30.6MB)

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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

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 11): What’s it all about, Alfie?

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:29 — 30.5MB)

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Here are some links and notes from what we discussed in the podcast:

  • (Un)Informed Handball Hour interview with Swedish-American dual citizen Alfred Jonsson: Link (Starts around 23:40)
  • Alfred Jonsson: Highlight Video Wikipedia (Swedish) Wikipedia (English)
  • Alfie: Song Original Movie Remake
  • EHF European League: Link
  • Carolina YouTube page: Link (Note: If anyone has the video with the injury we discussed please DM either JD or John)
  • The pros and cons of college clubs having 2 teams at college nationals
  • The pros and cons of grouping all college teams (despite big gaps in quality) in one big competition
  • This weekend’s Trailblazer Conference tournament: Link
  • The pros and cons of the weekend tournament format
  • The “pod” concept of 3-5 colleges in close proximity playing a double round robin over a season
  • The factors to consider when assessing which colleges to assist in starting a handball program
  • My Caitlin Clark – Ashley Joens tangent: Link
  • Tom Brady: How good of a handball player would the American Football GOAT have been? Wikipedia

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 10): Hueter Goes to Hamm

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:03 — 29.4MB)

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On the podcast we discuss the following topics:

  • USA National Team player Ian Hueter’s move to ASV Hamm-Westfalen next season: Link
    • Hueter Brother’s interview from 2021: Link
  • USA GK Billy Kessler interview: Link (I don’t think he ever played in the HBL)
  • A tangent on the HBL from my 1993 education:
    • “Coach, what’s the Bundesliga?” Link
    • Video of Finland’s Michael Kallman in action (watch a minute: You’ll see a 2 minute call followed by the exact same jump shot that caught me woefully unprepared): Link
  • A couple of high level players, reportedly with USA citizenship
  • Video of NYC Handball’s Togba Aboubacar in action at the Samala Cup this past December: Link
  • More discussion on U.S. competition structures
    • Upcoming Carolina Blue Cup: Instagram
    • Should handball in the USA have a shorter “season” similar to other U.S. sports? (instead of the long European season model that over time has gradually been adopted)
    • List of U.S. urban areas by population: Link (Very highly correlated with existing U.S. Handball clubs)
  • Our new and likely recurring topic assessing how good athletes from other sports would be if they played handball. First up: Serbian and Denver Nuggets basketball player, Nikola Jokic
    • JD’s brief discussion with Barstool’s PFT commenter on Jokic: 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 9): Barstool Takes on Handball

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:07 — 29.9MB)

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Last Wednesday (31 Jan 2024), Barstool Sports put out the welcome mat for the US Handball Union in their Chicago facility. Several athletes including former national athletes, Ty Reed, Alex Recker and Michael King, referee, Josh Forsthoefel and USA Handball Talk co-host, JD Orr were on hand to demonstrate, play and talk handball with the Barstool Crew.

It was a far cry from the 2020 dust-up which started when Barstool guest, former NFL QB, Jay Cutler, talked about the U.S. winning a gold medal at the Olympics. This claim and others led to outrage within the world-wide handball community… but, also some good publicity for the sport.

Last Wednesday was some more great promotion for handball and if you watch the Stool Stream on YouTube you’ll see and hear a lot of great dialogue with Barstool as they learn more about the sport. And, while the court was too small and narrow for a full handball experience, the Barstool crew also got a real taste for handball and how it’s harder than it looks.

On the podcast we discuss how the demonstration came about, some behind the scenes interaction and how the dialogue with Barstool might continue. Here are some links from the Barstool handball demonstration and initial controversy that erupted in 2020:

  • “Stool Stream” video of the entire handball demonstration: Link
  • Barstool highlight reel: Link
  • Additional behind the scenes content: Link (starts at 11:29)
  • Xavier O’Callaghan interview with Barstool (14 Feb 2002)l: Link
  • “Pardon My Take” Spouts more Nonsense and USA Men’s Coach Calls for a Challenge match (7 Feb 2020): Link
  • Is the USA Team Handball CEO Take the Side of Jay Cutler and Pardon My Take? (24 Feb 2020): Link

Participants

  • *JD Orr – Columbus Armada
  • Josh Forsthoefel – Columbus Armada
  • Alex Recker – Columbus Armada
  • Jacob Roberts – Kentucky Stags
  • Cooper Black – Miami (Ohio)
  • Ryan Peterson – Milwaukee United
  • Ahmed ElHady ElSayed – NYAC
  • Mike King – NYAC
  • Charlie Harper – Ohio State
  • Bob Wise – Ohio State
  • Matt Bolger – Pickerington Pandas
  • Ross Miner – unaffiliated

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 8) The British are Coming. The British are Coming

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Stephen Neilson, the Chair of British Handball joins the podcast to discuss the Great Britain – Kosovo Euro 2026 Qualification match played in Derby, England on 13 January.

We take a deep dive into what was probably the best ever handball match atmosphere and presentation in a “non-traditional” handball nation. We discuss the crowd, venue, organization, logistics, finances and British Handball’s future plans to stage matches like that again.

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 goi

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 7): The Standard is the Standard

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On this week’s episode we discuss what standards USA Team Handball athletes, administrators and board members are required or perhaps, should be obliged to follow. What’s appropriate in one’s private life and what’s appropriate in an official capacity? And, is it possible to entirely separate the two in a world where one’s thoughts and actions are amplified by social media? Here’s a rundown of the show and some links to the topics we discussed.

  • Pittsburgh Steeler’s Head Coach, Mike Tomlin’s “The Standard is the Standard” philosophy: Link
  • San Antonio Spurs Head Coach, Gregg Poppovich on standing during the national anthem: Link
  • USA Team Handball’s Code of Conduct Policy: Link (Note: I think there was once a separate, more athlete specific code that had to be signed as part of team selection, but I could be wrong.)
  • Towards the end we discuss a potpourri of topics to include:
    • Discussing handball outside our handball sphere and the “shade” often thrown our way
    • Relatives never really fully understanding what handball we play
    • My discussion with CalHeat’s Martin Bilello on youth handball challenges
    • The need to define objectives and establish metrics for handball initiatives… so one can then better assess what consitutes success or failure

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 6): Far, Far, Faraway Island

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:54 — 13.0MB)

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On this week’s episode we discuss two handball miracles: The remarkable showing of the Faroe Islands (population 52K) at the European Championships and the great handball atmosphere at the Great Britain-Kosovo Euro 2026 qualification match in Derby, England. Here’s a rundown of the show and some links to the topics we discussed.

  • Faroe Island’s Men’s National Team (Wikipedia): Link
  • John’s “Iceland Strategy” commentaries: (Part 1; Part 2)
  • (Un)Informed Handball Hour podcast on the Faroe Islands: Link
  • John’s commentary that compares the Faroe Island’s challenges with the current US team (which is sort of like a geographically dispersed Faroe Islands): Link
  • The Final Season (a movie about Norway, Iowa’s baseball team): Link
  • Jóhan Hansen: Right Wing from the the Faroe Islands that now plays Denmark: Link
  • ehfTV video of the Great Britain – Kosovo match: Link
  • Daily Oklahoman article about Chris Havlicek trying out for handball mentions the USA – Brazil match and the USA women playing Iceland in 1996: Link
  • Article on the USA – Drammen match that was part of the USA Men’s training camp in Norway: 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