Topic 1 Handball history Flashcards
What is the origin of handball?
Handball is a European sport that developed in the early 20th century and was unified in 1919.
What ancient game in Greece influenced handball?
The Greek game “sphairistiké” involved throwing and catching a ball, laying the foundation for ball handling in handball.
What was the Roman version of handball called?
Ancient Roman women played a handball-like game called “expulsim ludere.”
Which medieval cultures played handball-like games?
France (Medieval period)
Inuit in Greenland (Middle Ages)
What were some early versions of handball in the 19th century?
Håndbold (Denmark)
Házená (Czech Republic)
Handbol (Ukraine)
Torball (Germany)
What was Sphairistiké and how was it played?
Sphairistiké was an ancient Greek game played on a rectangular field using hands and arms to hit a spherical ball made of leather, air-filled, or stuffed with wool. The goal was to keep the ball moving and prevent opponents from touching or dropping it.
Did Sphairistiké have formal rules like modern handball?
No, it lacked a specific set of uniform rules, unlike modern handball.
How did handball evolve in Denmark in the 19th century?
A modern version called “handbold” was developed, where teams competed to score goals by throwing, receiving, and blocking shots using their hands.
When were the first handball rules established?
The first official rules were created in 1906, leading to the formation of teams in Europe.
How did handball spread during the 20th century?
Gained popularity in Europe and South America in the first half of the 20th century.
Originated as an indoor version of soccer in Denmark and Germany.
When did handball first appear in the Olympics?
1936 Berlin Olympics: Played outdoors.
1972 Munich Olympics: Introduced as an indoor sport.
Handball has been an Olympic sport since then.
