Handball

Handball originated in Denmark in 1897 and has become hugely popular in continental Europe, especially in France, Germany, eastern Europe and Scandinavia. It has been an Olympic sport since 1972 (men) and 1976 (women). The world governing body is the International Handball Federation (IHF), which has its headquarters in Basel and has over 200 members. Handball is an indoor team sport played on a court. There are seven players in each team including a goalkeeper. The object of the game is to pass the ball by hand and throw into the opposing team's goal.