3 things we learned this week: “Everyone loves Japan, crisis in Kiel & GoHandball”

Everyone loves Japan, THW Kiels worst crisis is behind them, and GoHandball fills a void in the handball world – that is 3 things we learned this week.

Everyone loves Japan

Japan shocked the handball world when they defeated Denmark at their home ground in Herning. I thought that Japan, after the disappointment at the World Championship in Kumamoto back in 2019, needed a huge change, but they seem to be ready to compete at a high level already. But they were the better team all game long against Denmark and won deservedly so.

And the reactions after the game were pretty much the same all around: everyone seemed so happy for Japan. Not even the Danish players seemed that angry or disappointed after the loss. But then again Japan plays entertaining handball – so what’s not to like?

THW Kiels worst crisis is behind them

Eric Johansson. Photo: THW Kiel

A few weeks ago it looked like THW Kiel would have their worst season in a very long time. Then Domagoj Duvnjak got the start against Füchse Berlin and after that, Kiel is playing with a lot more heart, fight, and urgency. This week they beat Norwegian powerhouse Kolstad 26–25 in the Champions League and a few days later got the job done against Erlangen in the Bundesliga, winning 31–27.

Duvnjak proved to be the spark that Kiel needed and now they are firing at all cylinders. Eric Johansson has played a lot better the past few weeks but the biggest difference for Kiel, besides the factors already mentioned, is the defense. Patrick Wiencek and Hendrik Pekeler are once again scaring the living you know-what out of opposition players.

GoHandball fills a void in the handball world

GoHandball logo

Earlier this week GoHandball saw the light of day and the reactions from all you handball fans have been nothing short of amazing. The amount of interest from handball readers and the numbers we have seen prove it: GoHandball fills a void in the handball world.

With your help, we can continue to grow and become the obvious choice for everyone who wants to follow the handball world in English.