After missing the ticket for Rio 2016, Spain are again among one of the best teams in the world, securing Men’s EHF EURO gold medals in 2018 and 2020 and a bronze medal at the IHF Men’s World Championship in Egypt this year.

Plenty of plaudits should go to coach Jordi Ribera, who led Brazil to a quarter-final spot at Rio 2016 five years ago, and was pried from the South American side to his native country.

Five years ago, Portugal would not have dreamt about securing an Olympic Games berth. But when coach Paulo Pereira was ushered into his current position in 2016, everything changed.

Dreaming big was only a motto back then, but it quickly became reality in one of the most unexpected turnarounds of the past decade.

First, Portugal qualified for the Men’s EHF EURO 2020, where they finished sixth, then added an all-time best finish at the IHF Men’s World Championship, 10th at Egypt 2021.

After being elected as hosts of the 2020 Olympic Games at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 7 September 2013, Japan has had one of the longest periods in modern history to prepare for a home Games.

Despite the length of time, it will be interesting to see how well Dagur Sigurdsson’s group of players cope with the extra-long build-up, off-court pressures and knowledge of representing their country on a global stage on home soil – an experience every home nation has.

Egyptian men’s handball and Ahmed Elahmar have been inseparable ever since the right back made his full senior debut well over 300 games ago.

1,500 goals later, the captain of ‘The Pharaohs’ has one last national team engagement after announcing his international retirement back in April – the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Prior to Rio 2016, Denmark were the “what if” team at the Olympic Games – a side brimming with potential, but always falling short of a medal. 

Tactics changed, a strategy was put in place, a golden generation emerged and, after a disappointing start, the Scandinavian side finally secured the gold medal.

Saturday 26 October 2019 is etched in the annals of Bahrain’s sporting history. Doha, Qatar was the setting and the final of the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) Men’s Asian Qualification Tournament was the match. 

Bahrain were 60 minutes away from Olympic qualification but at half-time, opponents Republic of Korea were 15:13 up having led 11:7 in the 19th minute.

Under the leadership of seasoned coach Manolo Cadenas, Argentina have been steadily improving, winning the gold medal at both the Pan American Championship in 2018 and at the Pan American Games in 2019.

Their 11th place at the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship in Egypt was also a breath of fresh air and a confirmation of the work done for the South American side, who was close to securing their first-ever World Championship quarter-finals berth.