Germany vs. Poland: July 17th in Chicago
But you can witness it this summer at the
BATTLE OF CHICAGO
Germany and Poland, two of the world's most powerful handball teams, will combat July 17, 2010, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, IL.
The German and Polish men's national teams are feared and respected worldwide, with 30 combined World Championship appearances. In 2007, the two clashed for the gold medal at the world cup; the Germans defeated the Poles, 29-24. In a fierce matchup people would travel to the Olympics twice a decade to witness, Poland will have its chance for revenge this summer on American soil. The European Handball Federation recently ranked Poland No. 4, one spot above No. 5 Germany.
The match, sponsored by USA Team Handball, Exlibris and World Sport Chicago, will be broadcast live in Germany and Poland thanks to a partnership with SportFive.
TICKET INFORMATION
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM!
Tickets will be available April 30 at any Ticketmaster location including the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740). For group rates, please contact the Event Group Sales Team at sales@usateamhandball.org. The doors open at 10:30 a.m. July 17 and will feature live German and Polish music, food, beer garden and family activities. An exhibition match between 2010 Men's Elite Division Champion Los Angeles Team Handball and the USA Men's National Team will take place at 11:05 a.m.
Germany on defense. Photo courtesy of the IHF ABOUT OLYMPIC HANDBALL
On the Summer Olympic catalog since 1972, handball is a team sport celebrated internationally for its speed, technique, high scores and excitement. Two teams, composed of six players and one goalie each, face off on a court approximately 66 by 131 feet. Athletes use their hands to dribble, pass and shoot a ball into a goal. Defensive play is fierce, however, and allows full body contact with unlimited "fouls." If you enjoy basketball, football, or hockey, you will love handball.
ABOUT THE GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM
The men's German national team claims three Olympic medals - one gold and two silver - in addition to three world championships and one European title. Thanks in part to victory at the 2007 World Championship, handball is enormously popular in Germany. Millions observe and attend matches of the Toyota Handball Bundesliga annually, the German professional league. In 2008, TIME magazine named 6'8" favorite Pascal Hens one of the Olympics' most compelling athletes to watch in Beijing.
ABOUT THE POLISH NATIONAL TEAM
Poland has stood on the Olympic medal podium once and possesses four World Championship silver and bronze medals. The team has come out from under the radar since the early 2000s, crushing unsuspecting international competitors in its path as it builds momentum toward a gold medal. Karol Bielecki, a star athlete for Team Poland, plays professionally in the Toyota Handball Bundesliga.
For more information on the July 17th Battle of Chicago, please call 801-463-2000 or e-mail info@usateamhandball.org.
