Lend me a hand(ball)
I hopped on the treadmill this morning to do my workout and turned on the TV looking for something to watch while I was doing my walk/run. Even though I knew it was coming, I was a bit surprised to see that Olympic events were already on at 4:45 in the morning. It makes sense given the fact that the games are in France this year and that is a good six hours ahead of the Eastern time zone where I live.
I was a bit amused to see that women's handball was on. If you follow me, you have heard me comment on handball in the past. I didn't realize it was still a thing. I haven't played it since grade school and I honestly thought it was one of those things that was lost to the ages like those crazy appetizer dips your parents used to make in the 70's.
It turns out handball has it's origins all the way back to the time of the Greeks and the Romans, so there is a good chance in some form it might have been one of the original events in the early Olympics. Then again, who knows. I don't think any of us were around back then to say for sure!
While handball in the US seems to be something that was played in high school gym class back in the 80's, it seems that it has retained at least a bit of its popularity over in Europe. The team from the Netherlands was quite impressive to watch.
That being said, the team from Angola seemed to give them a run for their money. In the portion I watched they never went ahead of the team from the Netherlands, but they kept it close. Actually, when I turned the TV off they had tied it up. Then I got into work and turned my laptop on to find they were losing 33 to 29 as you see in the photo above.
I actually couldn't even tell you where Angola is, but I think it is impressive that they have a team.
Honestly, I found watching handball more enjoyable than I thought I would. I settled on that channel more for the novelty of it versus actually caring about the game, but I dare say I got a little sucked in. It's quite impressive the athleticism that some of these ladies have.
The jukes and fake shots are something to behold. It's also kind of interesting when you compare a handball goalie to a soccer goalie just how poorly they can cover a smaller net. The score alone should be evidence of that.
It's safe to say that this won't be the last handball match I watch during these Olympic games.
Right now rugby is on and I am just as confused as I was the last time I tried to watch it. Why is the guy tackling his own teammate!? Someone really needs to explain this to me!
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STOPthe Olympics tend to throw something at me every now and then that I didn't realize was fun to watch until after I watch it. For example, in the last winter Olympics I really started to enjoy curling as well as whatever that sport is called where you have to cross country ski and also shoot things with a rifle midway through.
Oh yeah, that Nordic stuff is pretty cool or biathlon or whatever they call it. I was starting to like handball for a bit there, but the more I watch it the more I just find it silly I think.
It is one of those sports that I find it difficult to get excited about and I kind of wonder how it is that of all the sports there are available to play that these athletes landed on this one.
I agree, I was intrigued at first, but now I am starting to wonder how grown adults are still doing this...
but on the other hand, it looks like a sport where a bunch of couch commando dudes like ourselves could get together with friends and have a pretty good time
I don't now, it looks like a lot of running to me! I think I will just stick with disc golf!
The handball is a sport I try to watch, but it just does nothing for me.
The rugby 7's though, that is mental. Less than half a team and played on a full size pitch! And they dont tackle their own team, but do go in to provide cover from the opposition so the player with the ball can pass it back.
Maybe it was just a mistake by the other guy in the heat of the moment. Handball is a tough one for me. I just can't understand why it even exists still. I get the history, but it's kind of blah the more I watch it.