Attended by more than 80 invited guests and a huge media coverage the team captains of the British Olympic teams, John Pearce and Lynn McCafferty, drew the groups of the 2012 London Olympic Handball tournaments. The draw was conducted by Leon Kalin, Chairman of the IHF Commission of Organizing and Competition (COC), and Miguel Roca Mas (First IHF Vice President) – both are Technical Delegate of the Olympic Handball Tournament.

British women’s team captain Lynn McCafferty drew a real tough group with the four semi-finalists of the previous European championship: Denmark (European champion), Serbia (Silver medalist), Croatia (Bronze medalist) and Spain, host of the 2013 Men’s World Championship. Aside Hungary and Korea face in this group. On the other hand defending Olympic and World champion France can be lucky with Sweden, Iceland, Great Britain, Argentina and Tunisia as opponents in the preliminary round.

The women’s preliminary groups are a bit more equal, though the final of the 2011 World Championship France vs. Norway will take place in the first stage of this tournament. Besides WCh Bronze medalist Spain, three times Olympic champion Denmark, Sweden and Korea face in Group B. Four times World Champions and 2008 Olympic Silver medalist Russia  will face Montenegro, Croatia, Great Britain, Brazil and Angola in Group A.

The each four best ranked teams of those groups will qualify for the quarterfinals.

IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa, who opened the draw event with a short speech, is looking forward to the Olympic Handball event, which will take place from 28 July to 12 August: “We will see attractive matches and decisions in London, both in the men’s and the women’s tournament. I hope that the teams of Great Britain will show their improvement since they started seven years ago.”

Debbie Jevans, Sports Director of the 2012 London Olympic Games, praised the cooperation of the Olympic organizers with the IHF and the British Handball Association: “It is a pleasure to work with the IHF and Dr Moustafa, who is part of the Olympic movement since decades.” Jevans hopes that the legacy of handball will last after the Olympics: “The fact that handball was the first sports to be sold out in London shows the huge interest in Britain.”

John Brewer, President of the British Handball Association, mentioned the “long journey” the British Olympic team are on since 2005, when London was award the 2012 Olympic host: “Those teams will show a great performance, though we know that we are not the favourite in London. But we promote our sports for kids and youngsters with the participation at the Olympics.”

Both British National team coaches Jesper Holmris (women) and Dragan Djukic (men) could choose their preliminary round groups after the first five pots had been drawn. “We are well prepared for the Olympics, I am really excited before this tournament”, Holmris said, and Djukic added: “The Olympics in London will be the best handball tournament ever – and we a re so proud that we can be part of it and will try our best.”

The draw results:

Women’s Tournament:

Group A:  Montenegro, Russia, Croatia, Great Britain, Brazil, Angola

Group B: Norway, Spain, Denmark, France, Sweden, Korea

Men’ Tournament:

Group A: France, Sweden, Iceland, Great Britain, Argentina, Tunisia

Group B: Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Denmark, Korea