International Olympic Committee : News

Handball: Handball star Nikola Karabatic to resume training

10/30/2012 12:01:40 PM

French handball superstar Nikola Karabatic has been reinstated by his club side Montpellier, club president Remy Levy announced on Tuesday, following a betting scandal that has rocked the sport.

The 28-year-old Olympic and world champion was at the heart of match-fixing claims with his brother and team-mate, Luka, as well as other Montpellier players and two current Paris Saint-Germain players who used to play for the French champions.

"From tomorrow (Wednesday), Nikola Karabatic and Issam Tej (another player under investigation) will resume training," Levy told reporters.

Luka Karabatic has meanwhile been summoned to appear before a club disciplinary panel on November 8, the president added, warning that any players found guilty of match-fixing "do not deserve to wear the club's shirt".

Nikola Karabatic, who denies any wrong-doing, is also one of 11 people being formally investigated on suspicion of fraud.

Suspicions were raised over a match that Montpellier lost 31-28 to Cesson-Sevigne on May 12. At the time, Montpellier were assured of a 13th league title in 15 seasons while the Breton club sat in eighth position.

Large bets reportedly came in at half-time on a loss for Montpellier, for whom the Karabatic brothers, Mladen Bojinovic, Vid Kavticnik and Samuel Honrubia were not playing because of injury.

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French make history in superb tournament - London 2012 - Handball

8/12/2012 12:00:00 AM

Both France and Norway retained the Olympic titles they won in Beijing four years ago, but that did not detract from a superb tournament, that received unprecedented support in both the Copper Box and the Basketball Arena, making Handball one of the successes of the Games.

In the men's competition, France wrote themselves into the record books after a 22-21 win over Sweden in the final as they become the first ever country to win back-to-back gold medals.

For Sweden, while silver represented a success, it was the fourth time they have taken second spot on the podium as their wait for an elusive gold medal continues. Croatia earned bronze with victory over Hungary.

Norway continued their domination of women's Handball after a tense 26-23 win over Montenegro in the final.

The Scandinavians, who are also reigning world and European champions, won gold in Beijing four years ago and they were back on top of the podium in London after finding their form at the right time.

After a poor preliminary stage, where they qualified in fourth place, they slipped through the gears in the knockout stages and saved their best for last in the final, outlining their credentials as the world's best.

Montenegro had to settle for silver in a brave display, but they have written themselves into the history books by winning their country's first Olympic medal following its independence from Serbia six years ago.

With few people tipping them for success at London 2012, they can walk away with their heads held high and in Katarina Bulatovic, they have the tournament's top scorer with 53 goals in eight games.

It was also a successful Games for Spain, who won their first-ever Olympic medal in women's handball after victory over South Korea earned them bronze, while that defeat for South Korea meant it was just the second time they have failed to earn a place on the podium in eight appearances at the Games.

There were positives to take from the Games for France, who played some fine Handball until a last-gasp quarter-final defeat to Montenegro, and Brazil.

Great Britain lost all five of their matches in both the men's and women's competitions, though their pre-Games brief was all about creating a legacy and with the way the British public took to Handball - a sport they had never experienced before - that target has definitely been achieved.

Norway retain Handball crown - London 2012

8/11/2012 12:00:00 AM

The Scandinavians, who topped the podium at the Beijing 2008 Games, were slow starters in the tournament, struggling in the early stages, but they saved their best until last and emerged triumphant in a tight match, inspired by Linn Jorum Sulland's 10 goals.

It continues their domination of the women's game as the gold medal at London 2012 adds to the European and World Championships Thorir Hergeirsson's side have won over the last 18 months.

Katarina Bulatovic almost single-handedly kept Montenegro in the game with 10 goals, taking her tally to a superb 53 for the tournament, but it was in a losing cause.

Earlier in the day, Spain claimed bronze by edging out the Republic of Korea 31-29 after double extra-time.

The Europeans, whose previous best-placed finish at the Games was sixth in Athens eight years ago, were on course for a comfortable win midway through the second half, leading by four goals, but a strong Korean fightback forced extra-time with the score tied at 24-24.

After nothing could separate the two teams after the first period of two five-minute halves, another one was forced and Spain finally got the win when Jessica Alonso threw in with 10 seconds remaining to give them a decisive two-goal advantage.

Late thrillers send Hungary and France - London 2012 - Handball

8/8/2012 12:00:00 AM

Iceland were on the verge of going through in normal time against the Hungarians, leading 27-26 and having a penalty with just 15 seconds remaining, but it was missed and Hungary forced the additional period three seconds from the end.

With the tie still level in the second of two five-minute halves of extra-time, Hungary finally made their move to win by a single goal and send the Basketball Arena wild.

A tight first half of the additional period saw the score advance to 29-29 and that became 30-30 as a second set of two five-minute halves was required to separate the two teams.

Hungary finally earned some breathing space and scored two successive goals to lead 33-31 and it proved decisive as they were able to hold out to seal a famous victory.

They go on to meet Sweden, the three-time silver medallists who remain on course to add to that haul after edging a Scandinavian thriller with Denmark 24-22.

A tight contest throughout was effectively decided by Niklas Ekberg's shot into an empty net with just over a minute to play.

Dalibor Doder finished top-scorer with six for Sweden, who celebrated long after the final whistle, while Hans Lindberg also threw in six for Denmark in a losing cause.

In the other half of the draw, France stayed on course to successfully defend their title as Olympic champions after a 23-22 quarter-final win over Spain.

An even contest was heading for extra-time with the scores tied at 22-22 going into the final 30 seconds, but the Beijing 2008 gold medallists had time for one more attack and when a rebound fell to William Accambray he threw in to send his team through to the last four.

It was harsh on Spain as they led until the 45th minute yet must now pack their bags and head home.

France will now face two-time gold medallists Croatia, whose hopes of adding a third to their collection remain in tact as they beat Tunisia 25-23.

Croatia, winners at Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004, were not tested by their African opponents and their unbeaten record at London 2012 was never threatened in a game that rounded off a superb day's action.

Handball semi-final line-up complete - London 2012

8/7/2012 8:00:00 AM

With the scores tied at 22-22 and the full-time hooter having already sounded following a foul on Majda Mehmedovic, Bulatovic stepped up and coolly threw home to spark mass scenes of celebration.

It was a fitting end to 11 days of epic Handball at the Copper Box before tomorrow's move to the Basketball Arena, and earns the eastern Europeans a last-four tie with Spain.

Neither side was able to gain any momentum and they traded goals throughout, with the scoreboard reading 6-6 after 12 minutes and then 13-13 at half-time. But France made their move after the break and soon opened up a three-goal lead.

Montenegro were always chasing the game and they had the chance to draw it level at 19-19, but Milena Knezevic missed a penalty.

However, they kept going and finally levelled at 21-21 with four minutes remaining thanks to Bojana Popovic's powerful finish and the game was in the balance.

Montenegro took the lead for the first time since the 12th minute when Bulatovic thundered in a left-handed throw with just 90 seconds remaining.

France levelled with a penalty with 50 seconds to go, giving Montenegro one more chance to attack and then when Mehmedovic was bundled over in the final seconds they were awarded a penalty of their own.

With the hooter already gone, this was the chance for Bulatovic to be a hero and she stepped up to convert and send her team-mates wild.

Their opponents in the last four, Spain, overcame Croatia 25-22 in their quarter-final.

It was tied at 10-10 after 23 minutes, but two successive goals from Spain in the final 60 seconds of the first period gave them a 13-12 lead at the interval.

Croatia turned that around, though, with a strong start to the second half to lead by two before Spain flexed their muscles and threw in five of the next six goals to give them the advantage.

And they were never going to let that slip, holding a three-goal cushion for much of the final 10 minutes, with Elisabeth Pinedo Saenz inspiring their win with seven goals.

Reigning Olympic champions Norway also made it through to the semis after a 21-19 success against Brazil.

Shortly after the start of the second half, it looked as if the Scandinavians' defence of the title they won in Beijing four years ago was fizzling out as they trailed by five goals.

But a fine comeback, inspired by two separate four-goal salvos, won them the match and a place in the last four against Republic of Korea, 24-23 winners over Russia.

It was a deserved success for Korea as they held the lead from the 10th minute.

Knockout names decided - London 2012 - Handball

8/6/2012 12:00:00 AM

Hungary emerged victorious from their winner-takes-all battle with Serbia to progress to the last eight, in the process sending their eastern European rivals home with a 26-23 win.

With both sides locked on two points going into the game and only one spot in the last eight remaining, Serbia enjoyed the better start and were 7-4 to the good midway through the first half, thanks to three unanswered goals.

But with a huge Hungarian backing in the Copper Box, Lajos Mocsai's team reduced the deficit to two at the break, going in 11-9 down, and then set themselves up for victory with a pulsating second-half performance.

Tamas Mocsai threw in nine goals for Hungary, while Momir Ilic and Rajko Prodanovic scored five apiece for Serbia as the morning's session started with a bang.

Later, Tunisia secured their place in the knockout stages by emerging victorious from their winner-takes-all clash with Argentina.

It looked like it would be Tunisia's game at a stroll as they raced into a 6-1 lead after nine minutes, but a strong second part of the opening period saw the South Americans haul it back, with the half-time scoreboard reading 12-12.

Tunisia came back again in the early exchanges of the second half and by the midway point they had re-established a three-goal lead that left Argentina with it all to do.

They brought that deficit back to one in the final few seconds as they searched for a way back into the game, but Tunisia scored with the last throw of the game to seal their fate, 25-23.

Elsewhere, Iceland eased to a comprehensive 41-24 win over Great Britain,while Croatia continued their momentum for the quarter-finals with a comfortable 30-25 victory over Spain in the final Group B preliminary match.

Denmark and Republic of Korea shared a tense match before the Danes ran out 26-24 winners courtesy of Anders Eggert Jensen and Michael Knudsen each throwing in six.

In the final game of the night France claimed a 29-26 win over Sweden.

Iceland, Croatia wins light Copper Box - London 2012 - Handball

8/4/2012 12:00:00 AM

Iceland exacted revenge for their Beijing 2008 final defeat to France with a thrilling 30-29 victory in Group A of the preliminary stage.

With both teams having won their opening three games, this was billed as the group decider and it lived up to the hype in a pulsating clash.

The Scandinavians, still hurting from their silver medal in China, made the early running, taking a 6-3 lead after 10 minutes that had turned into a four-goal advantage by the midway point of the first half.

They kept France at a distance, still maintaining a four-goal advantage with five minutes of the opening period to play.

But France, who are also reigning world champions, finished strongly and threw six of the next eight goals in to reduce that deficit back to just one at the interval, going in 16-15 down.

They turned it around after the break following another strong period to lead for the first time at 22-21 and when they threw in back-to-back goals to take a 25-23 lead midway through the second half, the match was there for the taking.

But Iceland refused to give up and soon levelled, and after the trading of goals for the final few minutes they were able to earn a decisive two-goal lead with 90 seconds remaining, which left France with too much to do.

Earlier, Croatia had sent out a strong message by comfortably seeing off gold medal contenders Denmark 32-21.

Both sides had come into the match with 100 per cent records in Group B, but the eastern Europeans, two-time Olympic Games gold medallists, made their move by throwing in five unanswered efforts in the run-up to half-time to take a 14-9 lead at the break - and they never looked back.

Tunisia sent Host Nation Great Britain out of the competition with a 34-17 victory, while Sweden booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 29-13 win over Argentina and Serbia beat Republic of Korea 28-22.

Meanwhile, Spain booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 33-22 victory over Hungary, whose Olympic Games fate will be decided in the final round of preliminary matches.

Hungary, whose top scorer was Laszlo Nagy with seven, had no answer and they will go head-to-head in Sunday's final Group B game with Serbia to see who advances to the last eight.

Knockouts loom for women - London 2012 - Handball

8/4/2012 12:00:00 AM

Russia missed out on the chance to top Group A after a 25-25 draw with Montenegro.

Needing to win to go back level on points with Brazil, but with a superior goal difference, the reigning silver medallists could not be separated from their fellow eastern European opponents.

It was a tight start between two closely-matched teams, with the score tied at 6-6 after the opening 12 minutes, before Russia flexed their muscles to open a 13-9 lead.

But Montenegro hit back and threw in six of the next nine to bring that deficit back to just one goal, with the first half ending with the score at 16-15 to the reigning silver medallists.

The even nature of the game continued into the second half and after 17 minutes of it, the score had only advanced to 19-19 as both sides matched each other blow for blow.

It was 25-25 with one minute remaining and Russia missed the chance to get a decisive lead when Sonja Barjaktarovic pulled off a good save, but with just 15 seconds remaining Montenegro failed to create another chance and it ended all-square.

Earlier, Brazil had made the initial running to book top spot in the group with a nervy 29-26 success over Angola.

The points never looked in doubt and after a strong start, Brazil found themselves 8-5 to the good after 12 minutes, which became 11-6 seven minutes later.

After Angola scored four of the first five goals following the restart, the South American onslaught continued and they reeled off seven unanswered goals to lead by nine.

But Brazil did not account for a comeback by Angola and a golden spell saw them score nine of 12 goals to bring their deficit back to just one with three minutes to play.

However, the Pan-American champions saw it out thanks to five goals from Nascimento, Fabiana Diaz and Silvia Pinheiro as they brought a successful preliminary stage to an end.

Elsewhere, Republic of Korea warmed up for the quarter-finals by ending their Group B preliminary campaign with 32-28 victory over Sweden.

And Croatia ensured a winning end to their preliminary campaign as they eased past Great Britain 37-14

Reigning gold medallists Norway will face a tough test against Brazil in the quarter-finals after a disappointing 25-20 defeat to Spain, while in the final game of the evening France warmed up for a quarter-final with Montenegro by cruising past Denmark 30-24 in the final preliminary match.

Records preserved after dramatic day - London 2012 - Handball

8/3/2012 12:00:00 AM

Denmark fended off fast-finishing Serbia to maintain their perfect start in Group B, winning 26-25.

The reigning European champions, firm contenders to be top of the podium next week, had edged past Hungary and Spain in their opening two fixtures and were again made to work by their eastern European opponents.

Indeed, Serbia blazed into a 3-0 lead after five minutes and they led until four straight goals sent the Scandinavians in 13-11 to the good at the break.

A solid performance in the second period, held together by star man Mikkel Hansen, forged the Danes five clear with eight minutes remaining and a routine victory looked on the cards.

But Serbia made a game of it in the final exchanges, managing to close the gap to one by the end, though scoring with the last throw of the game left them no time to try and claim a draw.

Hansen took his tally to 19 goals for the tournament as his side sit second in Group B with six points from six, while Marko Vujin's seven goals were not enough to keep his country from second-bottom, having lost all three games.

Elsewhere, Iceland won the battle of the Scandinavian heavyweights by beating Sweden and maintaining their own 100 per cent record.

The reigning silver medallists, who have seen off Argentina and Tunisia in their opening two games, were held in the opening exchanges by a Sweden side who were also boasting two wins.

But Iceland made their move with two separate sequences of four unanswered goals to grab the win.

Earlier, Spain marched towards the quarter-finals with a straightforward early-morning 33-29 victory over Republic of Korea.

Lee Jae Woo was top scorer for the Koreans, who sit bottom of the pile with three defeats to their name.

France were made to work hard for a 25-19 victory against Tunisia as they booked their place in the quarter-finals.

The reigning Olympic and world champions, who recorded convincing wins over Great Britain and Argentina in their opening two matches, were thwarted for a long time by a tenacious African side, who held them at 17-17 midway through the second half.

But France, inspired by talisman Nikola Karabatic, reeled off six successive goals to put them on their way to victory.

Croatia eased into the quarter-finals with a routine win over Hungary , while Argentina saw off Host Nation Great Britain 32-21.

Spain, Norway lead charge to last eight - London 2012 - Handball

8/3/2012 12:00:00 AM

The Spanish had to fend off a strong start by the Scandinavians, who knew they had to win to have any chance of progressing. Sweden forged into a 6-3 lead after 13 minutes, with Hanna Fogelstrom scoring three of them.

But they soon capitulated and Spain enjoyed a golden period, throwing in seven consecutive goals over an eight-minute period to lead 10-6.

The half ended with another good spell for Sweden as three successive strikes saw them reduce the deficit to 11-10 at the interval.

The second half was a much more even affair as the two sides traded goals throughout and the scoreboard had advanced to 20-20 with 10 minutes remaining.

Sweden knew it was all or nothing, but Spain seized the initiative in the final two minutes by gaining a crucial two-goal lead.

That was eventually reduced to one at the end, but Spain held on to secure a spot in the last eight.

Nely Alberto Francisca and Marta Mangue Gonzalez both threw in six for Spain, while Fogelstrom top scored with five for Sweden, who bow out of the competition having lost all four of their games.

Meanwhile, reigning Olympic Games and world champions Norway booked their place in the quarter-finals with a winning goal 11 seconds from the end of an all-Scandinavian battle with Denmark, who are now knocked out.

In a topsy-turvy battle that could have gone either way, Karoline Dyhre Breivang scored the decisive goal at the end to break Danish hearts as it finished 24-23.

Croatia won a battle of European sides in Group A, edging out Montenegro by a single goal, 27-26.

A mixed first half saw Croatia earn an 8-5 lead after five successive goals, but Montenegro scored seven of the last 11 goals to square it at 12-12 at the break.

The tight nature of the of the game continued well into the second half with the two sides trading goals throughout.

But Croatia made their move with two successive strikes with five minutes remaining and they held the advantage right until the end, despite a nervy finish.

Indeed, Montenegro could have levelled right at the end, but Jovanka Radicevic mishandled the ball with the goal gaping in the final 30 seconds.

In the day's other games, France continued their unbeaten record by inflicting a first defeat on Republic of Korea, 24-21, ensuring they finish top of Group B.

The French struck with two decisive goals in a row to grab control of the game in the final 10 minutes and they extended that to win by a three-goal margin in the concluding minutes, with Alexandra Lacrabere top-scoring with four goals.

Angola completed a 31-25 win over Great Britain in the first game of the morning at the Copper Box, while Russia edged past Brazil 31-27 in Group A.