The 12-team field is comprised of the top finishers at the 1995 World Championships and four continental qualifiers. The United States received an automatic berth as the host nation. While all 12 teams have previously competed in the Games, Kuwait is making its first appearances since 1980.
Led by centerback Jackson RICHARDSON, France enters the tournament full of confidence following its triumph over Croatia in the 1995 World Championships. RICHARDSON is regarded by many as the best player in the world and was the first defensive player ever to earn most valuable player honors at the world championships. His dazzling quickness on the point is the key to France's 5 1 defense, igniting its tremendous fast break.
The veteran Swedish squad has focused on Atlanta ever since coming up short in the gold medal match against the Unified Team in Barcelona. Coach Bengt Johannson convinced many of the national team's older players to remain in the sport for one more shot at a first-ever Olympic title to go with the World Championship title it won in 1994. Sweden's strength lies in its goaltending duo of Mats OLSSON and Tomas SVENSSON. Offensively, the team employs a more disciplined style than the French and allows its opponents very few fast breaks.
Standing in the way of both the French and the Swedish are the Russians. While handball has not escaped many of the changes that have affected the former Soviet Union in recent years, the Russians boast the nucleus of the Unified Team's 1992 gold medal-winning squad. Valery Gopin, Andrey LAVROV and Igor CHUMAK are seeking their third straight Olympic gold under different flags, having competed for the Soviet Union in 1988 and the Unified Team in 1992.
The United States posted its best finish ever in Olympic play (ninth) the last time the Games were held on American soil in 1984. Coach Rick Olesyk's team is hoping to improve on that in Atlanta with left back Darrick HEATH and wing Matt RYAN leading the way.
Led by HONG Jeong Ho and goalie MOON Hyang Ja, Korea also dominated the field in winning the 1995 World Championships.
Korea's top challenge could come in its own pool from two-time silver medalist Norway or from Germany. Led by centerback Anja ANDERSON, Denmark also could be a strong medal contender in its first Olympic appearance. The Danes posted a 22-match winning streak in 1994 95 and are considered by many the team to beat in Pool A.
The United States has never won a medal in Olympic handball, but hopes to take advantage of the home court to improve on its sixth-place showing in Barcelona four years ago. Coached by former Swedish goaltending standout Claes Hellgren, the U.S. women could find themselves in the medal round with a victory over China and/or Hungary in Pool A.
A notable change in the 1996 tournament is the absence of Russia from the field. Including the Unified Team's bronze medal in 1992, the former Soviet Union had medaled in every Olympic Games in which it has competed since the sport became part of the Olympic Programme in 1976.
While the Russian women won't be coming to Atlanta, several new faces will make an appearance. Denmark and Angola will compete in the Games for the first time while Hungary makes it first appearance since 1980. The eight-team field is comprised of the top four finishers at the 1995 World Championships and four continental qualifiers.
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This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Jennifer Knight and Dianna Drayson. Special thanks to Mark Vinson and the U.S. Team Handball Federation.
| The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts. |