Cowbells & Handball at the Copper Box that rocks

Not every sport played in the world is worshipped in the UK. Perhaps we should warm to handball-especially Olympic style at the impressive Copper Box in Olympic Park itself.

This is an acoustically stunning venue: the PA beats out Duck Soup & Maroon 5 repeatedly as the cameras pan the crowd for enthusiastic dancing: of which there are heaps decked out in national colours and flags of Montenegro, Brazil, Sweden & Norway.

Goalkeeping flexibility is extreme

These nations played out two cracking matches of an hour each with skill,wit,pace & no little respect. A thunderously physical sport, it is refreshing that despite enthusiastic coaches with frequently elongated arms outstretched at players & referees, decisions are immediately accepted & the fouling team immediately drop the ball for fear of a costly two minute 'sin-binning' styled penalty.

Pre match Scandinavian huddle

What of injury in this sport of strategic passing as well as fast breaking attacks?

With landing in the opposition circle only permitted in the act of shooting there is ample scope for landing injuries on every assault on goal there is huge risk if problems associated wit unstable ankles and lower limbs in the act of balancing, or of being pushed and falling or stumbling in the act of passing, running or shooting. It is most definitely a contact sport.

Keeper is vulnerable to fast breaks and on penalties

There are substantial risks to the shoulders for the extreme rotational powerful throws with subtle changes of direction whilst midair render ball and socket joints vulnerable to both trauma and overuse injury.

Absolutely cracking sport, played by both men & women, with the former taking more of their shots from longer range to goal. The goalkeeper is flexible and dances agitatedly in front of strikers & wingers whom arrow in on goal from all angles with power, precision or lobbed shots.


SPACE's Physio Emma-Jane Petherick is at the venue for the Games keeping her close eye on both the action and traumatic injuries.

The Copper Box will become a music venue
as well as entertainment site afterwards

Embrace it Britain. 

Give the Copper Box the rousing ovations it deserves as well!