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CHAPTER I. Introduction

Message from the President

Dear Friends, On the occasion of the 2013 European Beach Handball Championships for men and
women, and for the very first time, the spirit of the event is encapsulated for you in this
ithin the European Handball Federation, Beach Handball activities have now
eBook. At the eighth edition of the European Championships, hosted in Randers, Den-
entered their 14th year. In 1999, as a joint project between the EHF Competi-
mark, 26 national teams from 14 countries stepped out onto the courts and gave us Beach
Wtions and Methods Commissions, the commission leaders sought out experts
Handball at its best. During the event period, 66 matches were concluded and at each
and, through this skilled assembly, formed a Beach Handball project group; from that mo-
match, the raw emotion of players, the laughter and fun, and the essence of the game
ment on, development in the area of Beach Handball was swift.
have been captured on film and an exclusive selection of these moments reproduced for
Having diligently worked on the known form of handball that was noted for its speed and you.
spectacular actions, the sport had many key promotional aspects, the highlight being that
You are now invited to turn the page and enter the fantastic.
with the transition onto European beaches, the sport could be played all year round. It
was not long before the very first EHF European Beach Handball Championships for men’s Best wishes,
and women’s national teams were played in Gaeta, Italy. Jean Brihault
EHF President
Another turning point in the story of Beach Handball remains the formation of the EHF
Beach Handball Commission, introduced in this publication, and their efforts to promote September 2013
and further develop the sport within Europe. Since then, Beach Handball in Europe has un-
dergone a tremendous revolution and is a staple of the European handball summer;
hinged on growth that endures, a vast number of Beach Handball enthusiasts continue to
follow the championship events.

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