26th Beach Handball Days: Surprise winner in the sand

The beach handball players played their games on five playing fields on Warnemünde Beach. Saturday was a fight for points in the sand in the group games, today it was about winning the final games. Every single place was played. Each game consists of two sets of ten minutes each. In the event of a tie, a penalty throw will take place. Four players including the goalkeeper are on the field at the same time. The game is played on two regular handball goals. There is more action on the program than in indoor handball. “For example, successful goal throws preceded by a pirouette or goalkeeper goals count twice,” explains beach handball organizer Rainer Voß.

The final was action-packed for the men, who didn't give up a point but were still motivated to fight for victory even after two strenuous days in the sand. Both final teams, the Matze team from Leipzig and the USV Halle Panther team, had never been in the final at the Beach Handball Days with their current line-up. Ultimately, the Halle team prevailed and seemed surprised by their success after the final whistle. “We didn’t expect to win at all. Surprisingly, things went well for us. We'll probably have a beer after that today," said team captain Tom Kryszon after the game. However, the players started celebrating immediately after the award ceremony with a champagne shower and a circle dance.

It wasn't just the winners who were satisfied at the end of the event. The conclusion from organizer Rainer Voß was also positive: “It was two great days with sunshine, and the participants were very satisfied.” Shortly before the finale of the 26th Beach Handball Days, Voß is already planning for the future. “Of course we will continue and we hope that we can have more teams and helpers again next year. Normally 24 women's and just as many men's teams take part in the beach handball days. This time there were significantly fewer, but it was important for us to show that things can continue again. If we had paused for another year, the event would probably have died forever.” After the successful beach handball days this year, there seems to be no end in sight for the handball action on the sand.

Winning teams at the 26th Beach Handball Days:

Women:

It was a great time

Rostock Beach Club

wonderwomen

Salty Babes

Men:

USV Hall Panther

Team Matze

Bone's bone crusher

Old gentlemen's troupe