The Origins of Handball
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 28 October 2024
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
History of Handball
While it remains one of the more niche sports in the Olympics, handball is actually a popular sport in countries such as Denmark and France. The origins of handball trace back to ancient civilizations, but it has since evolved to be a fast-paced and exciting team sport that steadily grows in popularity every year. This article covers the development of the game from its primitive beginnings to its professional status today.
Intro to the History of Handball
We have started this guide by addressing the question: “Where did handball originate?” To do this, we’ve begun at its ancient roots and tracked the birth of its current iteration. From there, we’ve looked at how the sport has evolved over the years.
So you can have a better sense of how the game works when it comes to betting, we have outlined the basic rules of the game. Then, to ground it in the modern world, we’ve discussed the popularity of handball today before discussing the future of the sport.
- Ancient Roots of Handball
- The Advent of Modern Handball
- The Evolution of Professional Handball
- The Rules of Handball
- The Current Popularity of Handball
- The Future of Handball
Ancient Team Handball History
The history of handball pre-dates some of the most popular sports today, with evidence of a similar game being played in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Rome, and Greece. In Egypt, there are tomb paintings that depict a similar game that saw a ball struck by hands in a court.
In ancient Greece, a similar game called “urania” was also played, which was mentioned in the writings of Homer. The Greeks also played “episkyros”, a violent ball game that has also been compared to American football. The Romans adapted it into the games of “expulsim ludere” and “harpastum”, and in medieval France, a similar game called “jeu de paume” became popular.
Many believe that this came as the closest precursor to both handball and tennis. Unlike the modern game that is played indoors with a rubber ball, these games were played outdoors with balls made from animal bladders or wool-stuffed leathers. Despite their varying rules, the modern game likely has its roots in one or more of these ancient sports.
The Advent of Modern Handball
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, a game that is more clearly recognizable as modern handball began to take shape. The origins of handball can be traced to the sport’s development in 1898 by a Danish sports teacher, who called the sport “handbolld.” In 1905, a Czech teacher developed a similar game called “házená” while in 1917, a German sports teacher created “torball”.
These games shared several similarities and likely influenced each other. They were all played outdoors on soccer fields with two teams of 11 players. They also thrived in schools and sports clubs among youth. As the sport exploded in popularity, organizers sought to enshrine standardized rules.
The answer to the question “When was handball invented?” is technically 1926, which is the year that the International Amateur Handball Federation (IAHF) was founded. This organization created standardized rules for the professional sport, which paved the way for it to be introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
However, this was still an outdoor sport and remained so when it was included as an official Olympic sport in the Berlin 1936 Olympics and the first Field Handball World Championships in 1938. With the sport now a regular fixture at the Olympics, the IAHF became the International Handball Federation (IHF) in 1946.
The Evolution of Professional Handball
In the 1930s, the sport began to evolve into what is now the standard offering that is seen at handball betting sites. The most significant change to team handball history came when the sport was moved from outdoor fields to indoor courts. Primarily, this was due to the colder climates that the sport was most popular.
By bringing it inside, the year-round play was supported, and the hard floors provided by the indoor courts permitted greater consistency and ultimately a faster-paced game. The first Indoor World Championship was held for men in 1938 and in 1957 for women.
Over the decades, the indoor version became the dominant form of handball. The IHF was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1966, leading to the Olympic debut of indoor handball at the 1972 Munich Games. In 1975, the Men’s World Club Championship was formed, which further legitimized the sport.
Another key milestone in the origins of handball is the founding of the European Handball Federation (EHF) in 1993, which saw the creation of the EHF Champions League. Not only did this elevate the sport to a professional status, but it also provided more opportunities for teams to play and improve, acting as a catalyst for heightened athleticism in the sport.
Today, Europe continues to be the region that hosts the most active participation rates, with prestigious handball leagues including the Danish Handball League, the German Handball-Bundesliga, the French Starligue, and the Spanish Liga. These attract top global talents that are showcased at each summer Olympics.
The Rules of Handball
Now that you’re aware of the team handball history, it’s essential to understand the rules of the sport. This will help you when it comes time to place your wagers. In modern games, handball is played by two teams of seven players. These include six outfield players and one goalkeeper.
It’s perhaps best to think of the sport as similar to soccer but the ball is held. The game is played on an indoor court that is roughly 45 yards long and 22 yards wide. It is played over two half-hour halves with a 10-minute break at half-time. To score, a team must throw the ball into the opponent’s goal.
The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. Players are to throw and catch the ball to move it across the court. They are able to hit the ball using their hands, arms, head, torso, thighs, and knees, meaning contact with feet is prohibited. Once they’ve received the ball, they can hold it for a maximum of three seconds and take up to three steps while holding it.
This ensures that the game is fast-paced, agile, strategic, and dynamic. Defenders are unable to enter the goal area, and while body contact is allowed, violence isn’t. In the case of fouls, free throws and penalty throws can be awarded.
The Current Popularity of Handball
Although handball is by no means as popular as soccer in Europe, it still has a large and passionate following that continues to grow thanks to its participation in schools. There are more than 200 member leagues in the International Handball Federation that represent roughly 27 million players around the globe.
During the 2016 Rio Olympics, the handball events attracted over 110 million viewers, and in the recent Paris 2024 Olympics, more than 20% of German viewers followed the sport. This is likely because the German Bundesliga is among the most popular, with around 5,000 spectators per match.
Other major tournaments attract large viewership too, with the 2019 World Men’s Handball Championship final between Denmark and Norway viewed by 2.6 million people in Denmark alone. This is significant considering the country only has a population of 5.8 million people.
The European handball market was valued at around $670 million USD in 2020, and this was projected to grow. It is clear then that the history of handball is still being written.
The Future of Handball
While handball currently enjoys a robust following in Europe, its limited exposure in major markets such as the USA and Asia means that there are challenges facing its growth. It is rare for schools in these regions to teach the sport to children, and media attention on the games is small and rare.
However, the modern sports market offers many opportunities for the sport to grow, with more streaming options and the growth of sports betting in the USA offering greater exposure. One of the benefits of the sport is that it is fast-paced and comparatively short to sports such as soccer, so this attracts new players.
The International Handball Federation continues to work with broadcasters and international governing bodies to gain more investment and build international handball markets. We wouldn’t be surprised if the sport breaks free from the origins of handball in Northern Europe to the USA in the coming years.
