Overview
Handball is a team sport of European origin, established in its modern form in the Scandinavian countries and Germany in the 1920s. It first appeared at the Olympics at Berlin 1936 in its outdoor field format, before disappearing and returning in its current indoor format at Munich 1972 for men, and Montreal 1976 for women.
Handball is played between two teams of seven players each — six outfield players and a goalkeeper — on a court measuring 40×20 metres. Matches consist of two 30-minute halves, with each team aiming to score the most goals by passing the ball into the opponent's net using only their hands and bouncing it off the ground, without using the feet. The sport combines fast tempo, regulated physical contact, and complex collective tactics, making it among the fastest team sports at the Olympic Games.
The sport is governed internationally by the International Handball Federation (IHF), founded in 1946. Twelve teams compete in each of the men's and women's tournaments, divided into a group stage followed by knockout rounds through to the final. Competitive strength is concentrated in Europe — particularly Denmark, France, Norway, Germany, and Sweden — which have claimed most Olympic gold medals since the 1980s.
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Team Qatar Handball Team to Begin Asian Games Campaign Against Hong Kong
Doha: The Organising Committee of the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026) in Japan has announced the match schedule for Team Qatar’s handball team in the preliminary round (group stage), as the national team continue their intensive preparations for the Games.Qatar recently held an overseas training camp in Slovenia and Bosnia, which included a number of friendly matches as part of efforts to reach the highest levels of physical and technical readiness ahead of the continental competition and the new sporting season.Preparations are being conducted under the supervision of the technical staff led by head coach Veselin Vujović. The handball draw placed Qatar at the top of Group A alongside hosts Japan, China and Hong Kong.According to the official schedule issued by the Asian Handball Federation, Qatar will begin their group-stage campaign against Hong Kong on Sunday, 20 September 2026, at 11:30 AM Doha time.They will then face China in their second match on Monday, 21 September, at 1:30 PM, before concluding the preliminary round with a highly anticipated encounter against hosts Japan on Friday, 25 September, at 9:30 AM.
Unbeaten Qatar win Asian U19 Handball Championship in Amman
Doha: Qatar clinched the Asian Under-19 Handball Championship title defeating Bahrain 28-24 in the final in Amman, Jordan on Monday.Qatar dominated from the outset, taking a 16-10 lead into half-time before maintaining their control in the second half to seal the title with a four-goal victory.The champions had reached the final with a 32-28 win over South Korea in the semi-finals, while Bahrain advanced after beating Iran 26-23.Qatar remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, finishing top of Group B with eight points after victories over Saudi Arabia (30-22), Kuwait (30-19), Iran (24-22) and Syria (42-29).They then thrashed hosts Jordan 33-13 in the quarter-finals before overcoming South Korea in the last four.The continental triumph also secured Qatar’s qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in North Macedonia, marking the seventh time the team has reached the global tournament.
Qatar U-19 Handball Team Face Bahrain in Asian Championship Final on Monday
Amman: Qatar’s U-19 handball team will face Bahrain on Monday in the final of the Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship, currently being held in Jordan.Qatar secured their place in the final after defeating South Korea 32-28 in the semifinals, while Bahrain advanced to the title match following a 26-23 victory over Iran.The Qatari side have produced an impressive campaign and remain unbeaten in the championship. They finished the group stage with a perfect eight points after recording four consecutive victories, defeating Saudi Arabia 30-22, Kuwait 30-19, Iran 24-22 and Syria 42-29.In the quarterfinals, Qatar produced a commanding performance to defeat tournament hosts Jordan 33-13 before overcoming South Korea in the semifinals to book their place in the final.Qatar will now be aiming to crown their unbeaten campaign by lifting the Asian title, having already secured qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship for the seventh time in their history.
Qatar U-19 Handball Team Advance to Asian Championship Final
Amman: Qatar’s U-19 handball team advanced to the final of the Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship, currently being held in Jordan, after defeating South Korea 32-28 in the semifinals on Saturday.Qatar will face the winners of the other semifinal between Bahrain and Iran in the final, scheduled to take place on Monday.The Qatari side have maintained their unbeaten run throughout the championship, having finished the group stage with a perfect eight points following four consecutive victories. Qatar defeated Saudi Arabia 30-22, Kuwait 30-19, Iran 24-22 and Syria 42-29 to finish top of Group B.In the quarterfinals, Qatar produced a commanding performance to defeat tournament hosts Jordan 33-13 before overcoming South Korea in the semifinals to secure their place in the title match.Qatar have also secured qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, marking the seventh time in their history that they have qualified for the global tournament.