Handball is not one of the world’s major sports. However, there are enough matches that bettors can wager on games on a pretty consistent basis. Handball is a fast paced game and is very exciting to watch. It is well respected by the international community evidenced by the fact that it is played in the Olympics.

It is not difficult to find an online sportsbook, which offers handball betting even though it is not extremely popular. However, not every sportsbook will offer it. There are several major events, which attract the most handball bettors. They include the Olympics, The European Championship, The World handball Championship, The EHF Cup, The Liga Asobal and The Bundesliga. Individuals can also bet on league play, with the European League being the most prominent.
Handball Betting Types and Odds

There are a variety of handball bets that can be made. This it makes it ideal for people who enjoy the sport (or at least are willing to make money from it) and appreciate the ability to make lots of different bets. Below, we will list some of the most predominate ones.

Single Match Bets: This is a bet on which team will win a particular match. Such bets are referred to as match coupons, two-way or three way-handicaps. It is also possible to wager on a draw or no winner. Draws pay out the best odds because they are rare occurrences. When a person wagers a two-way handicap, they are not allowed to bet on a draw. Three-way handicaps differ from two-way handicaps in this regard. Individuals are allowed to wager on draws.

Winner Bets: This is a bet on which team will win a particular match. The odds will differ based on how close the teams are in term of ability. When a clearly dominant team is playing, the odds may be 2 to 1. However, wagers on the weaker team might payout 500 to 1. As a result, an upset can result in a $10 bet paying out $5,000.

Finishing Position Bets: This wager is on the place that a particular team will finish in a tournament or league play. Individuals can bet on an all-out winner or bet that a team will place in the top three.

Goals Scored: This is a pretty popular over/under bet. Individuals get to wager on whether or not a match score will be less then or more then the score listed by a sportsbook.

Handball Major Events

Handball is similar to other sports in that it is dominated by major events. Below is a list of some of the major events in the sport of handball.

1) The Olympic Games
2) The EHF Cup
3) The European League
4) The European Championship
5) The World Handball Championship
6) World Women’s Championship

Be sure to take note of when some of these major handball events are scheduled so you are prepared to bet on them accordingly.

Handball Betting Strategy and Tips

Individuals interested in handball betting need to become informed as much as possible about the game, namely which teams and players are the best. Knowing this information will help bettors make the best bets possible. Wagering blindly is not recommended.

Comparing sportsbooks to determine who has the odds is very important as well. The best odds pay out the most. If a person has decided to wager on handball, it makes sense to get as much money as they can if they win.

There are many different types of handball bets. It is always a good idea to only make bets that a person is comfortable with. This might include betting on a match winner or over/under on the score. These are two of the easiest available wagers. Finding information on which the best teams are and their match scores for a season is easy enough to do. This information can be used to make informed wagers.

It is never a good idea to bet without properly researching the sport. While it definitely can be done, it is not recommended. Doing so would be akin to playing slots. Sports gambling differs from these sorts of games of chance, because wagers are, or at least should be, based on certain and reliable information. An individual can increase their odds of choosing the right team, simply by doing some research. Obviously, this won’t ensure that a person wagers successfully. Teams and players have off nights.

In many instances, it is easier to wager on handball games online. This is especially true for people who do not live in areas were handball is played. The Internet makes it possible for individuals to bet on any eligible handball games. Thus, it becomes possible for an American-based player to wager on a European league handball match or tournament.

Apparently, it’s not too soon. Even while the question of what will happen to the LA Clippers now that former owner Donald Sterling has stepped away is still not entirely answered, pundits are beginning to move into tertiary threads. One recent question asked, entirely hypothetically, was if the Donald Sterling debacle was “good” for the NBA.

The article in question stipulated that the NBA had been faced with a watershed opportunity, not a pleasant one by any means, but a real moment in time. And the commissioner took full advantage, letting his players, his owners, and his fans understand that overt racism –will not be tolerated in the NBA. Other leagues had been given opportunities with similar “equality” moments, but chose to punt… or to fail miserably. This comparison gave the NBA a certain celebrity status, a leg up in the vastly competitive world of professional sports.

It’s no secret that the NBA has been struggling in recent years. Not like the NHL, but basketball is a perennial also-ran when compared to the NFL and MLB, and even NCAA football. The league has certainly lost steam since the glory days of Magic, Bird, and Michael. A steady stream of superstars failed to bring in the numbers, and several lackluster seasons pushed even longtime fans away.

Basketball needed a standout moment, and Sterling’s private ignorance gave them one. They were suddenly on a national stage in a way that they had not been in decades. What would they do with their time? What they did, is draw a line in the sand… while speaking the language of a new generation of potential fans for whom race is largely a non-issue.

If the NBA wanted to turn Millennials on to the game, they definitely handled the situation well. Now they just need to keep it interesting on the court.

Ronn Torossian is a regular contributor to Gambling911 – Friend him on Facebook here.

We have your latest odds on Exact Games in the 2014 NBA Finals.

4 Games Heat Win 25/1

4 Games Spurs Win 12/1

5 Games Heat Win 13/1

5 Games Spurs Win 6/1

6 Games Heat Win +310

6 Games Spurs Win 4/1

7 Games Heat Win 6/1

7 Games Spurs Win +250

Most people’s current firm favourites for any sort of international tournament, at almost any age level, are Spain – and many have backed Vicente del Bosque’s men to continue their previously unheard of domination of the international football scene when they kick off their 2014 World Cup campaign next summer.

Teams like Germany, Holland, Argentina and Italy have all been considered as contenders for the crown on offer at the Maracana on July 13 2014.

However, one national team that has constantly slipped under the radar, and is almost being considered an underdog for the tournament is, surprisingly enough, the host nation itself: Brazil.

Here’s a look at some of the reasons for which Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side should be considered favourites for the tournament.

1. Luiz Felipe Scolari

In veteran manager Scolari, Brazil have a manager who knows what it takes to win a World Cup. Admitted, he may not have the genius of Ronaldo at his disposal today, but his experience with the Brazilian national team – which he led to international glory in 2002 – and the Portuguese national team – his CV contains a Euro 2004 final appearance and a fourth-place finish in Germany in 2006 – will stand his team in good stead.

A poor start to his second period at the helm of the national squad did not bode so well but, of late, the performances have improved – and it looks like he is getting his team of superstars to gel well.

2. Home advantage

Only six World Cups have been won by the host nation – the most recent being France’s triumphant 1998 campaign – and Brazil will fancy themselves for the coming edition, mainly for the reason that most European teams are not suited to the sweltering heat and humidity of Brazilian climes.

Spain seem to have acclimatised themselves to the conditions here, but Brazil will be hoping that the weather conditions, and of course having tens of thousands of Brazilians supporting their players, will play an important role in handing the Selecao their sixth World Cup triumph.

3. A squad brimming with individual quality

It probably goes without saying, but Brazil have lived up to their mythical reputation of churning out world-class offensive players. From what we have seen, Neymar – the man entrusted with spearheading this squad’s challenge for the title – could well follow in the footsteps of legends of days gone by, like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Romario.

With a supporting cast of established stars like Hulk, David Luiz, Dani Alves and captain Thiago Silva, and young talent like Oscar, Lucas Moura and Paulinho, Brazil could well boast one of the strongest squads on display today.

4. Strength in depth

Scolari has at his disposal not just a starting XI brimming with world-class talent – or even a squad of just 23 quality players – but enough quality to form two or three national squads.

Just consider the fact that players of the quality of Rafael da Silva, Cassio, Elano, Fernandinho, Robinho, Willian, Heurelho Gomes, Ronaldinho, Sandro, Leandro Damiao, Taison, Philippe Coutinho, Ramires, Lucas Leiva, Luisao and many more are not even in the 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup.

With one more year left for players of such immense ability to prove themselves at club level, what can be guaranteed is that Scolari will have a tough job on his hands when the time to select the World Cup squad is finally at hand.

5. Ageing Italian, Spanish and English sides

While most managers always maintain that their only focus is their own squad, it cannot be questioned that it is always prudent to know your enemies better than you know yourself – which is exactly why Scolari will be encouraged that the Spanish and Italian squads are approaching the end of a cycle that has brought them immense success.

Players like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Carles Puyol are not getting any younger, whereas Italian manager Cesare Prandelli will be contemplating the impending closing of the curtains for the careers of stalwarts like Andrea Pirlo, Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini.

While both squads probably have enough talent to replace these icons of the game (Spain certainly do) in the long run, the World Cup in 2014 probably presents to Brazil as good a chance as they will get to lift the trophy that Brazilians so enthusiastically covet.

These reasons, and many more, will be encouraging reading for Scolari and co. as they look to make the most of their current squad of brilliant talent, by bringing home the ultimate honour: the World Cup.