The American handball team had planned everything and all that was left to do was to initial the standard letter next to the signature of the coach, the Swede Robert Hedin: “Please exempt (first name, last name) from his workday on Monday. We understand that this absence can affect your productivity, but how to worry regarding productivity when the clash between the United States and Belgium is playing out? »
By beating the Red Wolves (24-22) on Monday in Malmö, the Americans ended their World Cup in the euphoria that had already overwhelmed them on January 13, the date of their historic victory once morest Morocco (28-27). On this day of glory, they won their very first success in the World Championship since their first appearance in 1964. They ended a series of 25 defeats in six tournaments, the last dating back to 2001.
And too bad for the logical punishments then inflicted by Croatia, Egypt or the Danish defending champions, the history of the American hand was on. Not easy where “handball” first refers to the game in which we return a rubber ball once morest a wall. The “team handball”, to distinguish it, is confidential in the United States, with around forty amateur clubs. At the college level, where the handball is not supported by the NCAA, ten teams have competed for the 2022 title in men’s, four in women’s, the two won by the military academy of West Point, which masters the field with 58 titles.
The youngest team in the World Championship which ends this Sunday, Team USA is above all a heterogeneous union of passionate players. (Jozo Cabraja/Kolektiff Images)
The selection rakes as it can among enthusiasts. Gary Hines, 38, too small (1.80 m) to break into basketball in Atlanta, still plays in Langefeld, Germany. He made a name for himself for his participation in the German and then American versions of the show Ninja Warrior. Ty Reed, 31, a former quarterback for the powerful University of Alabama, is fired in New York. Drew Donlin, captain in the Air Force, where he learned the game, divides his time between his club in San Francisco and his job with the United States Space Force. Decisive scorer once morest Morocco, Aboubakar Fofana has found his place in this heterogeneous team. Born in New Jersey 26 years ago, he learned handball in France, where he grew up, at Fenix Toulouse. Ex-player of Nancy and SCO Angers, he now plays in Villeurbanne, in the Second Division.
With its two victories at the World Cup, Team USA, the youngest team in the competition, is now looking towards the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where it is automatically qualified. He is unlikely to see Paris in 2024, with Argentina being favorites to win the only ticket to the Pan American Games.
In the meantime, we are talking regarding a Pro League next year to launch the movement towards 2028, supported in particular by the main sponsor of the national team, the telecom operator Verizon, whose Swedish CEO, Hans Vestberg, knows his subject since he is the former boss of the handball federation and the Swedish Olympic committee.
