Four international teams – GB, Hungary, Israel and the Netherlands – will compete for a place in the World Championships between 9 and 11 January 2015.

Join us at Medway Park to support Team GB who will be competing on their home turf and see why this fast-paced Olympic team sport is so popular in Europe.

The matches taking place in 2015 in Medway will be as follows:

Match timetable

Friday, 9 January 2015
4.30pm - Netherlands v Hungary
7pm - GB v Israel

Saturday, 10 January 2015
4.30pm - Israel v Netherlands
7pm - GB v Hungary

Sunday, 11 January
2.30pm - Hungary v Israel
5pm - GB v Netherlands

You can buy tickets at www.medway.gov.uk/leisurebookings/ from 27 November or in person at Medway Park reception or via England Handball at http://www.ehashop.co.uk/

Background

Handball courts measure 40 metres by 20 metres, and goals are 3 metres by 2 metres.

Each goal is surrounded by a 6-metre clearance area that only the goalkeepers may occupy.

To score a goal, players must throw the ball beyond this goal line. Players can use their hands and arms to pass the ball, but it may never touch below the knee. Once a player has possession of the ball, he or she may hold onto it for up to three seconds and take three steps. After this, the player has to pass the ball again or try to score a goal.

The ball, made from synthetic leather, has a circumference of 58 to 60 cm The matches have two halves of 30 minutes each with a 15 minute half time inbetween. As it is a dynamic game, scores are often high. The team that scores more goals wins.

This will be first time since 2012 that Great Britain has hosted an international event, so make sure you come and watch our elite athletes in action and understand why they say that handball is more than just a game.