One of the longest-running beach handball tournaments, the Calise Cup, was held with great success in the city of Gaeta, Italy in July. The 18th edition of the Calise Cup encompassed multiple competitions, including the XXX Memorial Calise and the 2018 Italian championship. A total of 12 nations were represented by the 34 teams on the sand, with over 400 players – including some of the highest level in the sport.

 

“Thank you to the foresight of the club, and to the second and third generation of young people raised in Gaeta handball 1984 [the local club], who have lived the challenges of beach handball since childhood,” said Calise Cup President Ciano Cosmo, outlining the success of the event not only for the growth of beach handball but also as a showcase of youth sport and an opportunity for tourism in the city. “Now they feel like their work has contributed to this great success.”

 

The France national team and multi-time champions of the European Beach Tour Detono Zagreb were just some among the top-level names that contested the available trophies. Out of the 15 top-ranked beach handball clubs in Europe, six were in attendance.

 

The women’s side from Detono Zagreb defeated Team Italy to take the women’s open title, but Team Italy were the side to celebrate in the men’s category, as they beat the squad from France after a shootout. The Italian men’s championship was won by ASD Pallamano Grosseto, and the women’s championship saw Cassano Magnago emerge as the victors.

 

Alongside the adult competitions were children’s games, including a tournament for players under the age of 12. Over the two-and-a-half-day duration of the event, 130 matches were played.

 

More information on the Calise Cup can be found on the official Facebook page.

Photo: Calise Cup