Review: Charmless muscularity dominates

ATHENS, Aug 30 (Reuters) -- For all the excitement of close matches and penalty shoot-outs, handball leaves the Athens Olympics knowing that it has to keep looking over its shoulder.

As a global sport with popular appeal, it still leaves much to be desired and the axe could, some would say should, fall at any time.

The sport was introduced into the Games in Berlin 1936 and then only reappeared in 1972 again in Germany.

Since then, it has been dominated by European teams and apart from the South Koreans and, to a lesser extent, the Chinese there was little evidence at this Games that the power base is shifting.

Croatia, champions in 1996 and current world champions, picked up the men's title, beating Germany in a close final 26-24. Russia collected the bronze.

The Croats played well, fast and furious to a man, but there is a general lack of charm and grace about the men's game. It too much resembles basketball without the hoops.

However, the Croats' win was warmly welcomed at home, representing as it did their only gold medal of the Games.

"It is a result that will give great happiness to everyone in Croatia," said Prime Minister Ivo Sanader who watched from the stands.

The women's game saw the world champions France go medalless and Denmark, who came 13th at the world championships, lifted their game to collect their third successive gold medal.

For the purist this was a shame as the Koreans, who took the silver after losing a penalty shoot-out, relied less on European brawn and more on deftness and delicacy.

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