August 12, 2004

Handnews Closing

The timing is anything but optimal with just a few hours to go before the big occasion. But finding the right time to quit is never easy.

Due to increasing obligations on various fronts, private as well as professional, the time and drive to maintain this weblog no longer persist.

When you can't live up to your own motto (second line above), it's time to call it a day - or roughly 17 months in the case of 'handnews'.

Thanks to all the visitors who have dropped by, and I want to express a special gratitude to those of you who have contributed with information or offered feedback in various ways. Your efforts have been much appreciated.

Even as this site is departing, it's pleasing to note that the 'handball web' has never been in a better shape, quantitatively and qualitatively. New sites popping up all the time and older ones improving.

Happy handball in the future!

Sincerely,
David
# posted 14:00 |

August 10, 2004

CL Qualies Draw

Champions League (2nd qualification round, first round in italics):

Dinamo-Akva Volgograd (RUS) - Zeeman Vastgoed (NED)/Frankfurter HC (GER)

Tertnes IL (NOR) - Slovan Duslo Sala (SVK)/RK Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO)

Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)/ZMC Amicitia Zürich (SUI) - Gyõri ETO KC (HUN)

Silcotub Zalau (ROM)/Egle Vilnius (LTU) - Mar Sagunto (ESP)

Handball Salerno (ITA)/Handball Metz Metropole (FRA) - RK DIN Nis (SCG)

Nata AZS Gdansk (POL) - Hypo NÖ (AUT)

Ikast-Bording EH - GAS Anagennisi Artas (GRE)/Madeira Andebol SAD (POR)
# posted 21:02 |

August 8, 2004

Olympic News

Clicking here conducts a search for news, press releases, statements, special coverage etc. on the Athens 2004 site, all relating to handball. Same search, but limited by using keyword 'women'.
# posted 23:48 |

Olympic Squads

From the official web site of the 2004 Olympic Games:

Angola
Brazil
China
Denmark
France
Greece
Hungary
Korea
Spain
Ukraine
# posted 23:40 |

Russian Dominance Extended

Russia hoisted yet another trophy in the junior ranks on Sunday. Olga Levina scored the decider 20 seconds from time to give the Russians a hard-fought 25-24 (13-11) victory over Norway in the final of the Women's 19 European Championship.

Serbia and Montenegro finished third after a blistering 39-26 (22-11) dismissal of France in the bronze medal match.

Poland's Karolina Kudlacz was named MVP of the successfully hosted tournament in the cities of Zlin and Olomouc in the Czech Republic.
# posted 23:19 |

August 6, 2004

Coaches' Picks

World Handball Magazine has asked the head coaches of the participating nations of the Olympics to pick the medalists. Let the tactics begin.

Surprising with only one Korean gold pick - and that from the Korean coach himself. After all, two gold, two silver, and a fourth place since 1984 is a respectable record to say the least.

Pavel Dzhen (Angola)
1. HUN 2. KOR 3. FRA

José Fiorizi Piovesana (Brazil)
1. ESP 2. DEN 3. HUN

Hyungkyun Chung (China)
1. FRA 2. DEN 3. CHN

Jan Pytlick (Denmark)
1. HUN 2. KOR 3. DEN

Jose Francisco Aldeguer (Spain)
1. ESP 2. DEN 3. FRA

Olivier Krumbholz (France)
1. HUN 2. FRA 3. KOR

Svein Olsen (Greece)
1. DEN 2. HUN 3. FRA

Lajos Mocsai (Hungary)
1. DEN 2. KOR 3. HUN

Young-Chul Lim (Korea)
1. KOR 2. FRA 3. HUN

Leonid Ratner (Ukraine)
1. DEN 2. HUN 3. UKR
# posted 19:00 |

W19: Russia vs. Norway

It required an extra time drama before Russia could pass Serbia and Montenegro to make the final of the Women's 19 European Championship in the Czech Republic.

The defending champs won 42-41 (36-36, 20-15) to book a date with Norway who held off France 24-20 (15-12).
# posted 18:56 |

Danish Squad Complete: Andersen In

Playmaker Kristine Andersen was announced as the 15th and final Olympic squad member on Friday. Andersen's troubled knee passed the test in the second meeting against Norway last night.

Reserve Rikke Nielsen was ready to take over, but can now go back to Aalborg.
# posted 18:48 |

Hungary and France: Close

With the Olympics on our doorsteps, Hungary and France appear to be as closely matched as they were in December.

After drawing 31-31 (14-15) in the first encounter, Hungary garnered a slim 33-32 (17-17) victory in the second meeting on Hungarian soil. Radulovics whacked 14 balls into the net.
# posted 18:36 |

Scandi Roundup

Denmark took the Scandinavian Open on Wednesday after defeating Norway 30-27 (14-13) in the final in Aalborg.

On Thursday, the two nations played another match in Randers which was drawn 25-25 (12-11).

Wednesday results:
Denmark - Norway 30-27 (14-13)
Spain - Sweden 24-18 (15-5)
# posted 18:17 |

August 3, 2004

Thomsen Tops Poll

A surprised Camilla Thomsen was named the best Danish national team player of the 2003/2004 season ahead of the match with Spain in Aalborg tonight.

With 25 percent of the votes from other Danish elite players, the FCK pivot led Rikke Nielsen (Aalborg DH) and Louise Bager Nörgaard (Viborg HK) who both landed on 19 percent. Slagelse's Rikke Poulsen was ranked fourth.
# posted 23:44 |

W19 Euro Results

From the Main Round of the Women's 19 European Championship which is being contested in the Czech Republic:

Group I:
Russia - Poland 29-26 (13-12)
France - Denmark 20-18 (10-6)

Group II:
Serbia and Montenegro - Germany 35-26 (20-16)
Croatia - Norway 36-34 (19-20)

The Danes need to beat tournament favourites Russia tomorrow to reach the semis. And even that might not be enough if France tackle Poland.

Serbia and Montenegro look set to progress from group II, most likely joined by Croatia. But the Norwegians are still in with a reasonable chance if they reprimand SCG.
# posted 23:27 |

Slick New Sites

Katalin Pálinger and Krisztina Pigniczki. Visually appealing to say the least.

Bernadett Ferling always seems to get left out, though.
# posted 23:20 |

Nemeth Back to Dunaferr

Right back Helga Nemeth continues her career in Dunaújváros. The veteran has signed a one-year deal with Hungarian champs Dunaferr NK where she previously spent three seasons.
# posted 23:17 |

Denmark - Norway in Final

Scandinavian Open results:

Denmark - Spain 29-24 (14-8)
Norway - Sweden 31-23 (17-12)

Kristine Andersen played so well that an Olympic trip looks virtually assured. Touray cut her lip in a keeper confrontation, while Trine Jensen needed ice after appearing to twitch an ankle.
# posted 22:33 |