Despite the fact that most Americans think handball is a sport where two players slap a ball against a wall, sort of like racquet ball, the interesting sport in which NBA basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon got his humble athletic career started, is much more than that, even if it has largely faded from the North American sports landscape.
The fact of the matter is that the sport is as popular as ever in Europe as over eight million people play it on a regular basis - and watching the Olympic games on television have reinforced the fact that the sport is extremely fun, with its combination of basketball, baseball and soccer skills all being applied at a moment’s notice in the fast-paced sport.
Heck, I want to go out and play some handball with a few of my buddies right now!
Formerly played on a large turf field with 11 players per side, the sport has been moved indoors and played with only seven players, making the game even faster than before.
The object is to score more goals than the other team by throwing a ball (somewhat smaller than a soccer ball) into a D-shaped net. Games consist of two 30-minute halves. Players can only take three steps after catching the ball and can only hold the ball for three seconds before they must either pass, dribble (like basketball), or shoot.
A defender can use his/her hands or body to block a ball but can't use the feet or lower legs (except for goalies). Like soccer, free throws, corner throws, and penalty throws become an integral part of the game.
There will be twelve men's handball teams and ten women's teams participating in the Beijing Games. They will each be divided into two groups for a round-robin series with the top four teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals where it then becomes a single-elimination tourney.
Here is a look at two Olympic Handball contests taking place tonight:
Germany -3½ -120
Egypt + 3½ -120
Germany -400
Egypt +250
Over 56½ -120
Under 56½ -120
Analysis: Germany, the 2007 World Champion, is likely the odds on favorite to win the Gold Medal, along with defending Olympic champion Croatia and should roll all over the overmatched Egyptian team in this contest. Not only is Germany likely to cover the 3 1/2 goal spread in this contest. Germany’s straight up Money Line of -400 may not look very attractive for handball bettors, but the fact of the matter is that this pick is an absolute ‘Lock.’ Germany will not lose this match.
Olympic Handball Picks: Germany -3 1/2 Goals
Poland – 8½ -135
Brazil +8½ -105
Over 56½ -120
Under 56½ -120
Analysis: Poland is one of the top five teams in the handball tournament, along with Germany, Croatia, Spain and France and should advance in this contest although beating Brazil will not be a cakewalk by any means, despite the long odds. While I like Poland to advance in this matchup, I certainly don’t see them covering the 8 1/2 –goal spread in this matchup. BetUS Handball bettors should go with Poland to win but the Brazilians to cover the big spread.
Olympic Handball Picks: Brazil + 8 1/2 goals
