New Adventures in Handball

On my way into the Copper Box handball stadium I was asked for an interview by an American journalist who wanted to know why handball had never taken off in the UK, and whether it stood a chance on the back of these games. At the time I couldn't really explain it, and having seen my first match am even further at a loss. It's a terrific game, easy to stage and looks great fun to play. It's also surprisingly physical. Unlike basketball, for instance, plenty of contact is within the rules. I think it would suit school facilities well and – not insignificantly in Britain – played indoors!

That was what cost the young British team against the experienced Russians, who ran out comfortable winners. They were older, more organised, but above all much much bigger. The Brits countered with some impressive agility from the small but speedy Lyn Byl, who scored five, and goalkeeper Sarah Hargreaves held the Russian team at bay with a string of fantastic saves at the start of the second half, but the British girls didn't have the speed and decisiveness to hit their opponents on the break, and were contained easily in a half-court set for most of the game. The rangy Russian girls were able to break out from defence and attack at speed time and again, while the only physical force on the home side came from Eva Palies, who scored a fine brace in limited time on court and gave giant Russian defender Murauyeta a great tussle.

In lulls in play the crowd were amply entertained by the Russian coach, a beast of a man who never stopped screaming instructions at his charges. The average age was the youngest I've seen at any event so far, and perhaps in a few Olympics time there'll be no need for a piece on why the British don't follow handball.

The second game is Spain against France. A much more competitive game with the tenacious Spanish defenders never letting France get a clean shot away. They lead 10-7 at half time having held Les Bleus to almost a one in four shots ratio. Even GB did better against the Russians. The Spanish girls picked up a trio of early yellow cards, but the tactic has worked so far, helped by a solid performance from keeper Navarro.