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What you need to know and who to look out for

Denmark’s Mads Mensah Larsen (left) and Egypt’s Yahia Omar compete for the ball during a Norlys Golden League men’s handball match at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, on January 6, 2024. (Claus Bech/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

A roadmap for the men’s and women’s handball competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Athletes to watch

Mikkel Hansen, Denmark: With his shoulder-length hair and headband, the powerful left back is one of the most recognizable faces in Danish sport. A three-time men’s world champion, a record he shares with long-time rival Nikola Karabatić, Hansen enters the tournament as a world champion. Hansen’s only Olympic gold came eight years ago in Rio de Janeiro. Paris is the 36-year-old five-time Olympian’s last chance to add a second. He will retire after the Games.

Yahia Omar, Egypt: The right-back will remain in Paris, whatever happens at the Games, as he has signed a contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2027. The 26-year-old was one of Egypt’s best players when the Pharaohs finished fourth in the country three years ago.

Nikola Karabatic, France: The eldest of the Karabatić brothers — Luka is the youngest — 40-year-old Nikola is one of the best players in handball history. His trophy cabinet reflects that, with three Olympic gold medals and four world titles. He has scored almost 1,300 international goals and these will be his sixth Games.

Léna Grandveau, France: The fresh-faced Grandveau took the handball world by storm with a stunning performance in last year’s World Cup final, when she scored France’s last four goals as an unknown 20-year-old in a dramatic win over Norway. With defenders now aware of her speed and finishing, she will be a closely watched player.

Henny Reistad, Norway: Don’t give Reistad, the reigning World Player of the Year, a chance on goal or she’ll likely punish you, as her 74% scoring rate at last year’s World Cup shows. Reistad can play left-back or centre-back and won bronze in Tokyo for Norway, the two-time reigning European champions.

Storylines to follow

Can the French make it to the Olympic double-double? The French men’s team has won three of the last four gold medals, including three years ago in Tokyo. The women’s team are the reigning Olympic and world champions. Will playing at home in Paris be a boost for the players, or will the pressure of expectations be too much?

Egypt surprised many observers by reaching the semi-finals in Tokyo, knocking out Germany and then giving France a tough match. As multiple African champions, Egypt hopes for a first Olympic medal. However, Egypt is in the same group as Denmark, France and Norway and has less strength in depth than the favorites.

Important data

The women’s group stage begins on July 25, with the men’s starting two days later. Group matches are in Paris before the competition heads north to the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille.

The women’s quarterfinals will be held on August 6, and the men’s the following day. The women’s semifinals will be held on August 8, and the men’s on August 9. The women’s gold medal match will be held on August 10, and the men’s final will be held on August 11, the closing day of the Games.

Reigning champions

  • Men: France
  • Women: France

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