|
 RYAN GIGGS, Craig Bellamy, Robert Earnshaw, Jason Koumas, Danny Gabbidon, Mark Delaney and Lewis Price - what a combination that would be for Wales at the 2007 World Championships in Germany.
That's right, 2007 World Championships! That's when the next men's world handball championships take place but sadly that lineup will not be going - not that they'll be going to Germany a year earlier though for the world soccer championships either.
Perhaps if they swapped sports they may have a better chance of becoming world-beaters, because the chances are they've already played a derivative of handball during their numerous soccer training sessions.
Handball is an extremely fast hybrid of soccer, netball and basketball and is similar to some of the warm-up drills used by soccer coaches to get their players moving and thinking properly during training.
Hanball is a sport contested by two teams of seven players in an area about the size of two basketball courts.
You can play handball indoors or outdoors, on grass, sand or a timbered floor. Players are encouraged to be athletic, flamboyant and inventive, but above all, to work together as a team.
At either end of the field is a soccer-type goal. The object is to get a ball, not quite as big as a football, into the opponents' goal more often than they can get it into yours.
 Sound familiar? The only major difference from soccer is that the ball is moved by passing in the style of netball. Players can take three steps and hold the ball for three seconds. Dribbling is allowed, however the ball must be patted with the palm, meaning that passing is usually the faster option.
High-scoring, dynamic and athletic, it is an outstanding spectator sport. Working the ball into a shooting position can be eye-catching enough, but handball's greatest spectacle comes when the best players in the world wind up to shoot. The best can leap in the air and uncoil their bodies like springs, the explosive nature of the move propelling the ball at speeds of
around 100km/h.
As far back as the beginning of the 20th century soccer coaches encouraged their players to take part in handball during the summer as a way of staying in tune during the football closed-season. And handball has prospered to become one of the most popular sports in the world - some say second only to soccer!
It's played the world over - around 150 nations play the game. At least 15 million people from all walks of life get involved. And with good reason! There's something in it for everyone: it keeps you fit and healthy; it's fast and fun; and it promotes diverse strategies and tactics.
So what are you waiting for? There are competitions for guys, girls and kids. Give it a shot.
|