The fifth edition of the International Handball Week – seven days of celebrating handball’s checkered past, amazing present and bright future – was celebrated between 12 and 18 July 2024 throughout the whole world.

Marking the day of the official foundation of the International Handball Federation (IHF), 12 July 1946, it also starts the celebration on all continents and at all levels, as handball has undergone a serious makeover over the last couple of decades, becoming more accessible and inclusive throughout the globe.

In the last 78 years, the IHF has ensured that handball has been growing bigger and bigger, and the results of this ongoing process are clearer and clearer, with the last decades serving as an example of the popularity of the sport, which has grown immensely on all continents. New directions have been created for handball, as well as new ideas implemented, having managed to change the face of the sport for the best.

Over the last week, handball has been celebrated on all continents, either via special activities, or by friendly matches, played between the 24 teams which will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the pinnacle for every player, coach or staff member in the handball world.

In Saudi Arabia, the players of the men’s youth team, currently preparing for the The 10th Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship, due to take place in September, raised signs with the number 78 imprinted, marking the 78th anniversary of the International Handball Federation.

Special activities also took place in Djibouti and in the Equatorial Guinea, while in Italy, the Handball Festival also took place, with over 1000 participants,  was in full fledge just a few days before the International Handball Week.

Libya were also actively involved in celebrating the fifth edition of the International Handball Week, with activities planned in capital Tripoli.

During the International Handball Week, the teams taking part at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also featured, bringing tens of thousands of spectators in the stands during friendly matches.

In Denmark, a doubleheader in Hillerød on 18 July, which was sold out, saw the men’s team clinch a 34:20 win over Argentina, while the women’s team conceded a 24:35 loss over Norway. Two days earlier, the four teams also met, with Denmark’s men’s team secured a 34:24 win over Argentina and the women’s team conceded another 24:26 loss against Norway.

The France men’s team lost their match against Germany, 30:35, in front of over 10,000 spectators, but bounced back with a 31:26 win over Croatia in Chartres, with over 4,000 fans present in the arena.

Norway men’s team also secured two wins against Spain, with the same result, 35:29, on 16 and 18 July in Gjøvik, while Sweden took a convincing 32:26 win over Egypt on their home court in front of just under 3,000 spectators in Eskilstuna.