Your independent news and commentary outlet for the Olympic sport of Team Handball
Matt Van Houten, a recently retired USA Goalkeeper, and the USOC’s Athlete Advisory Council AAC Representative for Team Handball has created a Myspace.com website: http://www.myspace.com/teamhandballrep
The site is intended to keep USA athletes informed of important information that he receives in his role as the AAC rep and should be another good link to add to your “favorites.”
The Oregon based Register-Guard Newspaper reports on new USA Women’s National Team Player Chelsea Wagner.
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2006/06/17/b1.sp.chelseawagner.0617.p1.php?section=sports
The past two weekends determined the final 8 spots for the World Championships
http://home.eurohandball.com/report.asp?bid=227&rnr=2&pha=1086
Notably, Sweden was knocked out by Iceland. Both teams won on the road with Iceland surprising Sweden 32-28 in the first match. Sweden, however could only manage a 1 goal victory in Iceland, so they will be staying home once again. With their failure to qualify for the 2004 Olympics, 2006 European Championships, and the 2007 World Championships might they be looking for a new coach?
The other interesting matchups saw Poland overcome a 5 goal deficit to beat Greece while Norway held off Romania with a tie in Stavanger for a one goal aggregate win.
The following are some brief notes that I’ve edited from an email I recently received from Tom Fitzgerald.
USA-Mexico Match: Tom indicated that Team USA had an extremely poor shooting performance with several shots hitting the post. With 1:52 remaining in the match the US was actually down 28-24. A foul on a wing shot resulted in a penalty goal and a two minute penalty. The US then repeatedly stopped Mexico on defense and rattled off 3 straight points in the time remaining. As described this is a remarkable comeback which salvaged the USA’s prospects.
USA-Puerto Rico Match: The US led the whole game and at one time pulled ahead 20-12. Puerto Rico got within 3 goals at the end and the US also had the luxury of getting some inexperienced players more playing time.
USA-Argentina: The USA was outmatched vs. an Agentina squad with 9 players playing in Europe and 2 in Brazil. As the outcome of the match was somewhat meaningless, the US started some of it younger player to get some of the starters some rest. At one time the score was whittled down to 22-15, but Argentina finished strong and ended up winning 38-20
USA-Brazil: No illusions here and Tom indicated that this will be a tough match for the US. The Brazilian has been training for the past 10 months and has a roster full of professional players.
USA-Greenland: This likely showdown for 3rd place should be interesting. The US and Greenland played a friendly match last Sunday and the US pulled out a 31-25 victory. In was during this match, however, that John Kelly, who had been playing very well for the US got hurt.
Player Performances: Tom indicated that Danny Caparelli and Gary Hines are playing exceptionally well and that Troy Steffen and Divine Jackson have been pleasant surprises. To win the match against Greenland they will definitely need some of the younger players to play well.
Coach Martinez: Tom noted that from his perspective Coach Martinez has been a good teacher and that the team is responding well to
Thanks to Puerto Rico’s 34-21 thrashing of Mexico, Team USA has qualified for the semifinals. Unless the USA pulls a major upset against Argentina later today they will finish second in Group B and will play Brazil in the first semifinal on Friday. Long time USA veteran, Tom Fitzgerald highlighted in a short email exchange that the younger players on the team were coming along nicely and were really benefiting from getting game experience.
With a 32-30 defeat of Uruguay, Greenland has also secured the second place spot in Group A. Greenland also defeated Chile by the same score on the first day.
Side note: The Brazilian Federation website indicates that the matches are available via web streaming, but I think this is only for the Brazil matches.
Analysis: Barring a major upset in the semifinal, Brazil and Argentina will meet in the final and Greenland and the USA will play for the Bronze and the 3rd ticket to the World Championships. It will be interesting to see how the next couple of days unfold. The USA will continue to benefit from more game experience, but the wear and tear of playing 5 matches in 5 days has to be factored in. The semifinal matches could very well quickly turn into 2nd team scrimmages as all 4 teams will likely (and rightly) be more concerned with their next match. If one of the coaches is quoted as saying they are not looking past their current opponent treat that quote with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Note: The following scenarios assume that Brazil and Argentina will remain undefeated in Group Play.
Group B
The USA will advance to the semifinals with either a Puerto Rico victory over Mexico or a tie between those two teams. If Mexico beats Puerto Rico goal differential in all group B matches will apply. The USA currently has a 20 goal advantage, but has yet to play Argentina which beat Puerto Rico by 18 and Mexico by 17.
Group A
Greenland will advance to the semifinals with either a win, tie, or a 1 goal loss today against Uruguay. If Uruguay beats Greenland the tiebreaker rules for 3 teams apply. The 1st tiebreaker is points among the matches involving the 3 teams (Greenland, Chile, and Uruguay). As this would be level at 2 points a piece, the next tiebreaker is goal differential among the matches involving the 3 teams. Greenland defeated Chile 32-30, Chile defeated Uruguay 27-26, and Greenland and Uruguay play today. Greenland is currently +2 and Uruguay is -1. Uruguay, therefore needs to win by 2 to advance to the semifinals. Chile’s goal differential is locked in at -1 and therefore can not advance unless they beat Brazil.
From the Brazilian Federation Website: http://www.brasilhandebol.com.br/
Translation was done using Babel Fish: http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr
United States WIN the FIRST One In the PAN-AMERICANO OF IN ARACAJU
The United States had had work to win Rich Port in the first game of the second round of the Championship Pan-American of Masculine Adult Handebol. Placar was closed in 28 the 25 (10 the 8 in the first time). This was the first victory of the Americans in the competition. After that, Chile defeated Uruguay, for 27 the 26 (16 the 11). Brazil enters in squares this night against Greenland, to 20h, while, at this moment, Argentina faces Mexico, in the game that started to 18hs. Rich port started better and with more speed. To the few, the team of the United States if made right in the attack and passed to the front. In second time, the American team grew still more and went off in placar. Still with a reaction sketched for the Puerto Ricans, the teams of the North America guaranteed the victory. The American shipowner Tone Fitzgerald praised the performance of the adversary. "It is a fast team very young e. They run very and kick fort. In second time, our teams changed the game and, as they were tired, us we obtain the advantage." Chile made a game with sped up rhythm and was to the front in placar for almost all the confrontation. Exactly fighting, Uruguay did not obtain to pierce the Chilean blockade and lost many balls. Almost in the end of the departure, the climate esquentou when Uruguay leaned in the marker, but Chile obtained to remain itself in the front and closed the confrontation. "It was a very satisfactory departure. We could have strained more placar. Tomorrow, we wait to earn of Brazil ", commented the technician of the Chilean team, Rodrigo Bown. United States: Danny, Milan (2), Jeff (1), Tone (4), Gil (3), Gary (5) and Troy (8), beyond Muris (4), Divine (1) and Mark. Rich Port: Rafael, Omar, Isael (2), Joseph (2), Juan Cepeda (8), Freddie and Hector (3), beyond Dennis (3), Rafael Cepeda (1), Alberto (5), Jose (1) and Elvis. Chile: René, Landmark (5), Patrician (6), Emil (9), Philip Maurin (5), Guillermo (2) and Nicolas, beyond Alfredo, Landmarks, Jimmy, Fields, Rodrigo, Pablo and Philip Miholovic. Uruguay: Sebastian, Javier (2), Pablo Mounts (2), Diego (3), Pablo Marrochi (8), Maximiliano (3) and Expensive Pablo, beyond Mario, Gonzalo (1), Sebastian Noveri, Diego Viscava (4), Cristian, Gabriel (2), Hermann (1) and Nicolas.
Group B
The USA rebounded from an opening round 28-28 tie vs. Mexico to defeat Puerto Rico 28-25 in a key Group B Match-up. The USA will likely advance to the semifinals if Puerto Rico defeats Mexico. If Mexico defeats Puerto Rico, goal differential will decide who advances between Mexico and the USA. This, of course, assumes that Argentina goes undefeated in Group play and that standard IHF tie-breaker rules are in effect. (i.e., for two teams with the same points the tie-breakers are head to head competition, followed by goal differential in all group matches, followed by total goals scored in all matches. If Mexico does beat Puerto Rico, the USA will know going into their match with Argentina the goal differential they will need to reach the semifinals.
Group A
Greenland defeated Chile in a key first round match up 32-30. The outcome of today’s Uruguay-Chile match up (currently in progress) will be pivotal in determining the scenarios for advancement that will likely hinge on the final group A game between Greenland and Uruguay. (This logic, of course, assumes that Brazil will go undefeated in group play.)
The EHF provided this press release recently:
http://home.eurohandball.com/ehf_files/ehf_news/st_Official_Statement_2405/default.htm
I'm still looking for the full story behind this development and anyone with more information is welcome to chime in the comments section.
Meanwhile, today I read in L'Equipe, that 14 Men's Handball Clubs are forming a G-14 to make sure that their views are adequately considered by the EHF. This is similar to a self appointed grouping of soccer club powers in Europe and could theorhetically be the precursor to a new league or tournament. The 14 teams include 4 clubs each from Spain and Germany, plus one from France, Slovenia, Hungary, Denmark, Croation, and Russia. Already, the German and Spain leagues have pressed the EHF to move Champions League matches from the Weekend to mid-week. This might seem surprising, but simply reflects the German and Spanish league perspective that their National Leagues are more important than the Champions League.
I have to admit that while I'm a big Team Handball fan, I won't watch every match that is on TV. Case and point, was the European Championship qualification matches between France and Turkey. I figured that it would simply be a blow out between one of the haves and have nots. So while I was flipping through channels, I was shocked to see Turkey beating France IN FRANCE during the first leg match. I mean it's one thing to lose to Brazil on a neutral floor, but losing to Turkey in Toulon! Anyway, France salvaged a 29-29 tie and the Turks celebrated over a quiet (with a few boos) crowd. I'm guessing the French head coach was contemplating future career plans. But the French woke up. A week later, the score I expected to see the first time came to pass as France put an end to Turkey's " don't count your chickens before their hatched" celebration with a 35-24 victory in Turkey to win on aggregate and qualify for the European Championships.
Still, all of the World's developing programs can take heart in a big underdog rising up and winning against the odds on the opponent's home turf .
http://home.eurohandball.com/report.asp?bid=226&rnr=2&pha=1020
Note: I resurrected my old blog site and posted 4 articles while the site was down. www.teamhandball. blogspot.com
USA Women’s National Team European Tour: There is also a podcast interview with Coach Latulippe at the USA Handball Yahoo Group site; a link is in my blog
US Team Prepares for Men’s Pan American Championships
Guadalajara, Mexico to Host 2011 Pan American Games
Australia Secures Oceania Ticket for 2007 Men’s World Championships
As you might have noticed, we've had technical difficulties with our site for about a week or two. I finally was able to resolve the issues with a full new re-install. I still need to get a few logos and pics up, but the site should now be fully functional again.
Sorry for the downtime – at least we're back just in time for some really interesting times with the men's PanAm Championships coming up.
The USA Women’s Team is in the midst of their 3 week European tour. They will be playing club teams in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. I saw 2 of their 3 matches in a local tournament in Issy-le-Moulineaux, just outside of Paris. They defeated an England based team 24-22, lost to Israel, and lost to Paris Select team 25-21.
I've posted a short 4 minute interview that I had with Coach Christian Latulippe at the handballusa Yahoo Group: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/handballusa/files/
More information is also available at the Women's Team's sites:
Press Release: http://www.usateamhandballwomen.com/News/May23_06.html
European Trip Blog: http://wnteuropetour2006.blogspot.com/