SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Sports) - The fast-paced, high-scoring, physical sport of Olympic team handball will be showcased this weekend when America’s top players play in the 43rd Annual USA Team Handball National Championships at the Salt Palace. 28 teams from all over the United States will be competing for the national title.
"The simple way to describe it," said USA handball general manager Steve Pastorino, "is that it's soccer with hands or water polo on land."
Team handball is a 7-on-7 game where players can take three steps before dribbling. It's extremely physical with no limits on fouls. It's also high-scoring with games usually ending in the 30's.
"There's a lot of the same concepts as basketball," said Pastorino, who used to be Real Salt Lake's general manager. "You're moving the ball, dribbling, running, a few more steps than basketball. But instead of a little hoop at the end, you have a soccer-style goal."
The top players can throw a handball 75 miles per hour, so it can be pretty dangerous for goalies.
"We have our share of lunatics like any other sport," laughed Pastorino.
Team handball is the second most popular sport in Europe behind only soccer. The top events draw tens of thousands of fans and are broadcast live to several different countries. It's been an official Olympic sport since 1972. The United States has yet to medal in the event, but it is growing in this country.
"I think we just need more exposure," said USA womens team member Jacque Messel. "Everybody that I've talked to that's seen the sport, they love it and are excited about it. The ones that don't care are the ones that haven't seen it."
"It's a fast-paced sport," added USA player Hans Self, who is originally from Germany. "It's actually a sport that Americans would love because it has a ball and it's high-scoring."
A full slate of activities is scheduled, as Salt Lake Handball Club, along with the Utah Sports Commission, host the nationals in Utah for the first time ever. Several handball Olympians will participate in festivities, as USA Team Handball counts down towards the 2011 Pan American Games in October – the first qualifying event for the 2012 Olympic Games.
"We want to show off the sport on the highest level," said Pastorino. "We have national team athletes, we have former Olympians, we have future Olympians on the court this weekend."
The club national champions will be crowned Sunday afternoon.
