Handball is a dynamic and exciting sport, and over the years it has produced some of the most talented and charismatic athletes in the world. In this article, we’ll explore the 15 greatest male handball players of all time, highlighting their achievements, curiosities, life stories and defining moments in their careers.
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Criteria for evaluating the best handball players of all time
We considered criteria such as achievements, statistics and performance in international competitions. Come on, join us in discussing the best handball players of all time.
Best handball players of all time: Nikola Karabatić (France)
Titles: Olympic Champion (2008, 2012), World Champion (2009, 2011, 2015), European Champion (2006, 2010, 2014), among others.
Teams: Montpellier, Paris Saint-Germain Handball.
Curiosities: Karabatić is known for his versatility in various positions on the pitch, as well as his leadership and exceptional technical skills.
Life story: Born into a family of handballers, Karabatić started playing professionally at the age of 18 and quickly became a legend of the sport.
Major record: he holds the record for the most goals scored in a single season in the French Handball League.
Major controversies: In 2012, Karabatić was involved in an illegal betting scandal, but was later acquitted of match-fixing charges.
Best handball players of all time: Ivano Balić (Croatia)
Titles: Olympic Champion (2004), World Champion (2003), European Champion (2003), among others.
Teams: RK Metković, Portland San Antonio, THW Kiel, among others.
Curiosities: Balić was known for his extraordinary vision and passing abilities, and was often compared to a maestro on the pitch.
Life story: Born in Croatia, Balić began his career at local clubs before becoming one of the best players in the world.
Highest record: He was voted the IHF’s Best Player in the World in 2003, 2006 and 2007, setting a record of three consecutive titles.
Major controversies: Balić has had no controversies in his career.
Best handball players of all time: Daniel Narcisse (France)
Titles: Olympic Champion (2008, 2012), World Champion (2009, 2011, 2015), European Champion (2006, 2010, 2014), among others.
Teams: THW Kiel, Paris Saint-Germain Handball.
Curiosities: Known as “Air France” due to his ability to jump and score spectacular goals, Narcisse was a key player in France’s conquests.
Life story: Born in Martinique, Narcisse moved to France to pursue his passion for handball and became one of the best players in the world.
Major record: he was voted the Best Player in the World by the IHF in 2012, solidifying his position as one of the sport’s legends.
Major controversies: Narcisse is known for his work ethic and professionalism, avoiding any major controversy throughout his career.
Best handball players of all time: Thierry Omeyer (France)
Titles: Olympic Champion (2008, 2012), World Champion (2001, 2009, 2011, 2015), European Champion (2006, 2010, 2014), among others.
Teams: Montpellier, THW Kiel, Paris Saint-Germain Handball.
Curiosities: Omeyer is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of handball, with quick reflexes and an imposing presence in goal.
Life story: Born in France, Omeyer started playing handball at a young age and soon stood out as an exceptional talent.
Highest record: he has been voted Best Goalkeeper in the World by the IHF on several occasions, demonstrating his consistency and excellence over the years.
Major controversies: Omeyer has had no controversies in his career.
Best handball players of all time: Mikkel Hansen (Denmark)
Titles: Olympic Champion (2016), World Champion (2019), European Champion (2012), among others.
Teams: FC Barcelona Handball, Paris Saint-Germain Handball.
Curiosities: Hansen is known for his ability to score decisive goals at crucial moments, making him one of the most feared players by opponents.
Life story: Born in Denmark, Hansen started playing handball at an early age and soon stood out as a rising star.
Highest record: he was voted IHF World Player of the Year in 2011 and 2015, standing out as one of the best players of his generation.
Major controversies: Hansen has had no controversies in his career.
Best handball players of all time: Talant Dujshebaev (Russia / Spain)
Titles: Olympic Champion (1992), World Champion (1982, 1986), European Champion (1996, 1998), among others.
Teams: CSKA Moscow, Teka Cantabria, Portland San Antonio, among others.
Curiosities: Dujshebaev is known for his ability to score goals in creative ways and for his inspiring leadership on the court.
Life story: Born in Kyrgyzstan, Dujshebaev moved to Russia and then to Spain, where he became a handball legend.
Major record: he was voted the IHF’s Best Player in the World in 1994, being the first player to receive this title representing Spain.
Major controversies: Dujshebaev has had a controversy-free career.
Best handball players of all time: Stefan Lövgren (Sweden)
Titles: Olympic Champion (1996), World Champion (1990, 1999), European Champion (1994), among others.
Teams: Redbergslids IK, FC Barcelona Handball, THW Kiel, among others.
Curiosities: Lövgren was known for his ability to score long-range goals and for his imposing physical presence on the court.
Life story: Born in Sweden, Lövgren began his career at local clubs before making a name for himself internationally as a handball star.
Highest record: he was the top scorer at the 1999 Men’s Handball World Championship, helping Sweden to the title.
Major controversies: Lövgren has had a controversy-free career.
Best handball players of all time: Jackson Richardson (France)
Titles: World Champion (1995), European Champion (2006), among others.
Teams: Toulouse Handball, Montpellier Handball.
Curiosities: Richardson was known for his defensive aggressiveness and his ability to lead his team at crucial moments.
Life story: Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Richardson moved to France at a young age and became one of the most emblematic figures in French handball.
Major record: he was voted the IHF’s Best Player in the World in 1995, being the first player of Caribbean origin to receive this award.
Major controversies: Richardson has had no controversies in his career.
Best handball players of all time: Magnus Wislander (Sweden)
Titles: Olympic Champion (1992), World Champion (1990, 1999), European Champion (1994, 1998), among others.
Teams: Redbergslids IK, THW Kiel, among others.
Curiosities: Wislander was known for his ability to distribute precise passes and for his tactical intelligence on the court.
Life story: Born in Sweden, Wislander began his career in local clubs before becoming one of the greatest players in the history of handball.
Highest record: he was the top scorer at the 1993 Men’s Handball World Championship, helping Sweden to the title.
Major controversies: Wislander has had a career far from controversial.
Best handball players of all time: Arpad Sterbik (Serbia / Spain)
Titles: World Champion (2005, 2013), European Champion (2018), among others.
Teams: Veszprém KC, FC Barcelona Handball, among others.
Curiosities: Sterbik is known for his ability to make spectacular saves and for his dominant presence in goal.
Life story: Born in Serbia, Sterbik has represented both Serbia and Spain in international competitions, winning important titles with both teams.
Highest record: he was voted Best Goalkeeper in the World by the IHF in 2005 and 2013, demonstrating his excellence throughout his long career.
Major controversies: Sterbik has had a controversy-free career.
Best handball players of all time: László Nagy (Hungary)
Titles: World Champion (2003), European Champion (2004, 2012), among others.
Teams: Teka Cantabria, FC Barcelona Handball, among others.
Curiosities: Nagy was known for his versatility in various positions and his ability to score important goals at decisive moments.
Life story: Born in Hungary, Nagy began his career at local clubs before becoming one of the best players in the world.
Highest record: he was the top scorer in the 2001-2002 EHF Champions League, helping Teka Cantabria to the title.
Major controversies: Nagy had a relatively controversy-free career, being admired for his dedication to the sport and exceptional skills.
Best handball players of all time: Filip Jícha (Czech Republic)
Titles: World Champion (2007), European Champion (2010), among others.
Teams: TBV Lemgo, THW Kiel, FC Barcelona Handball, among others.
Curiosities: Jícha is known for his versatility and abilities both offensively and defensively, being a key player in any team he has played for.
Life story: Born in the Czech Republic, Jícha had a successful career at clubs in Europe, also representing his national team in international competitions.
Major record: he was voted IHF World Player of the Year in 2010, standing out as one of the handball stars of his generation.
Major controversies: Jícha had a career without controversy.
Best handball players of all time: Bertrand Gile (France)
Titles: World Champion (2001, 2009, 2011), European Champion (2006, 2010)
Teams: Montpellier Handball and HSV Hamburg.
Curiosities: Gille was known for his versatility on the court, being able to play both defensive and offensive roles with mastery. In addition, his tactical intelligence and leadership were outstanding characteristics throughout his career.
Life story: Bertrand Gille was born in France and began his handball journey at a young age. He grew up in an environment where handball was a family passion, with his older brother, Guillaume Gille, also excelling as a professional handball player.
Highest record: he was part of the French team that won gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He also holds several personal records in terms of assists and steals throughout his career.
Major controversies: Bertrand Gille has maintained a career focusing mainly on his sporting performance and contributions to his teams.
Best handball players of all time: Sander Sagosen (Norway)
Titles: World Champion (2017) and European Champion (2020)
Teams: Paris Saint-Germain Handball and THW Kiel.
Curiosities: Sagosen is known for his exceptional ball handling skills, his vision of the game and his ability to score decisive goals. He is often praised for his maturity on the pitch, despite his relatively young age.
Life story: Sagosen was born in Norway and started playing handball at an early age. He quickly stood out as one of the sport’s promising youngsters and soon joined top-level clubs on his journey to becoming one of the best players in the world.
Highest record: was the IHF Best Young Player in the World in 2017. He also holds several personal records in terms of assists and goals scored throughout his career.
Major controversies: Sagosen has maintained a career relatively free of significant controversy to date.
Best handball players of all time: Uwe Gensheimer (Germany)
Titles: European Champion (2016) and German Champion (2015, 2016)
Teams: Rhein-Neckar Löwen and Paris Saint-Germain Handball.
Curiosities: Gensheimer is known for his exceptional ability to score goals, especially due to his unique and effective shooting technique. He is also admired for his leadership on the pitch and his tireless work ethic.
Life story: Born in Germany, Gensheimer grew up playing handball and quickly stood out as a promising young player. He progressed in his career, representing both renowned clubs and the German national team in international competitions.
Major record: he was top scorer in the German Bundesliga for several consecutive seasons, demonstrating his consistency and ability as a goalscorer.
Major controversies: Gensheimer has maintained a quiet career.
List of the best handball players of all time:
- Nikola Karabatić
- Ivano Balić
- Daniel Narcisse
- Thierry Omeyer
- Mikkel Hansen
- Talant Dujshebaev
- Stefan Lövgren
- Jackson Richardson
- Magnus Wislander
- Arpad Sterbik
- László Nagy
- Filip Jícha
- Bertrand Gile
- Sander Sagosen
- Uwe Gensheimer
Esses 15 atletas representam os melhores jogadores de handebol de todos os tempos em termos de habilidades, conquistas e impacto no esporte.
De suas performances inspiradoras em quadra a suas contribuições para o desenvolvimento do handebol em seus respectivos países, cada um deixou um legado duradouro no mundo do esporte.
Com suas habilidades excepcionais, liderança inspiradora e dedicação incansável, esses jogadores continuarão a ser celebrados como verdadeiras lendas do handebol.
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