Aaron Wolf-Bloom is arguably the USA’s top state-side youth talent. We discuss his development as a handball athlete and his plans to graduate from High School early and play in Sweden this January.
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)
Thomas Schumake is the head coach of the Bret Harte Middle Schools boy’s and girl’s handball teams. This past weekend both teams took home the California Youth Cup Middle School titles. I sat down with Coach Schumake to discuss his approach and journey to become a handball coach. And, we also discuss what it might take to get handball to become an officially sanctioned school sport in California.
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.
Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
(Benjamin Edwards #40, playing with the Veszprem 1st Team)
John and JD discuss 18 year old Benjamin Edwards playing with the Veszprem 1st Team, John’s dream of an HBL-LNH pre-season showdown and some overarching takeaways from the Olympian Handball Haus interviews.
Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:
Germany Cup Results; Both ASV Hamm (Ian Hueter) and Vfl Lubeck-Schwartau (Paul Skorupa) advanced to the next round where they likely will face HBL sides: Link
John’s proposed HBL-LNH Pre-Season Challenge modelled after the NCAA college basketball ACC – Big Ten Challenge
John and JD discuss the infamous Dika Mem pass, NBC Peacock’s handball broadcasts and promotion of the sport, and John’s efforts to start club handball programs at Colorado and Colorado St.
Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:
The infamous Dika Mem pass that saw France lose to Germany in a dramatic Olympic quarterfinal: Link
NBC’s Peacock coverage and John’s commentary that Peacock should become the USA TV home for handball: Link
Sports writer/influence Rodger Sherman’s All Caps Tweet that he will storm ESPN HQ if they don’t broadcast more handball: Link
NBC Olympics Play-by-Play commentator, Eric Frede is a guest on the podcast and we discuss his background and what it’s like for a newcomer to call handball.
Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:
NBC’s mode of operations for handball
Eric’s varied commentating background
How the gig with NBC came about
His preparation for calling handball
On the need to call handball with mostly newcomers in mind
On whether handball broadcasts in the U.S. need a two man commentating team
Aspects of handball that appeal to American audiences
On whether handball broadcasts can expand beyond just it’s once every 4 years Olympic cycle
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)
John and JD discuss all of the Olympics related handball social media activity, the IHF Beach Handball Showcase, the American Handbal Haus podcast and the upcoming Flanders outdoor tournament.
Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:
The Tweet and my reply that attracted attention and is referenced in JD’s Intro: Link
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:
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
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
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’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)
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:
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
When Abou Fofana plays like that… ▶️I just wonder when he's going to move up from the ProLigue to the StarLigue ▶️And, why he was just seen as a defensive specialist for several seasons ▶️What am I missing? @FXHoulet@TomVillechaizehttps://t.co/D3kkvToZ1V
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:
