Comparative Analysis of the Offensive Effectiveness in Winner and Losing Handball Teams

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine differences related to the offensive process between winning and losing teams among teams participating in the European Handball Federation Champions League (EHFCL) in 55 matches across five seasons. The key indicators used in this study are the offensive actions, team possession type and the zones of the field, goals, and shooting effectiveness. A total of 34 indicators were analyzed and compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. Sixteen key indicators are identified to confirm differences both from the aspect of the collective game in terms of assists (9.10 ± 2.75 vs. 7.29 ± 2.65), goals of positional attack (21.38 ± 4.60 vs. 18.20 ± 3.62) and from the aspect of individual goals from 6 m (16.67 ± 3.98 vs. 13.64 ± 3.70), and the effectiveness of shots (68.19 ± 6.83 vs. 59.41 ± 6.33). Winning teams performed better regarding the variables that defined the effectiveness of offensive shots, especially successful positioned attacks and fast attacks. They also had a greater number of assists. The profiles of the most successful teams can help coaches and practitioners to achieve better performances adjusting the training process according the performance indicators that seem to lead more often to success.

Throwing performance by playing positions of male handball players during the European Championship 2020

“…These data, as it happened with the wings, may be influenced by 7‐m throws. Our research is in line with Ferrari et al 41 who observed, that in the EHF Champions League (EHFCL), more goals were scored in the central zones. Backs do not usually throw in zones far from their natural position, although when they do, the effectiveness is not reduced much.…”

Comparative analysis of win and loss factors in women's handball using international competition records

“…In another study that analyzed factors affecting wins and losses in the Men's European Championship, AS was found to have significant effects on match results (Ferrari et al, 2020). However, although AS was found to be significantly different between the won and lost matches of women's handball in this study (t= 7.264, p= .000), the regression analysis did not show significant differences.…”

Decreasing number of distance shooting in handball – trend of nowadays male handball competition

“…The outcome of analysis proves significance of certain factors that are more likely contributed to the winning or losing the game. One of the profound differentiators that has been associated with studies are shooting effectiveness and the number of assists committed [2,25]. Furthermore the finishing zone was also considered by researchers, who claimed advantage of number of 6 meter shots and its efficiency by the winning teams [14].…”