Watching Handball

The 2009 Men's World Handball Championships are being held in Croatia and one of the host cities is Varaždin. I decided that it would be an interesting and definitely a once in a lifetime chance to go and watch. My friend Tamara and I went and watched two matches (On the 17th) - Germany verses Russia and Macedonia verses Tunisia. It was super interesting and fun to watch. Here are pictures from the game. My handball ticket.

Close up of my ticket. I was supposed to sit in row nine but Tamara and I wanted to sit together. The seat next to hers was unoccupied so I sat in the top row instead.

The backside of my ticket.

Game one was Germany verses Russia: The playing of the National Anthems.

And the game begins...Russia is in red and Germany in white.

The team benches and officials tables.

Timeout. A local cheer group did a short routine while the teams were on their break.

Fans!!

Half time show by the local cheer group. The score at the half was 15:14 for Germany.

The Championship mascots at half-time. Ruksi the caterpillar!

Another time out and routine by the cheer group.

And the game ends in a tie 26-all. Exciting last few minutes resulted in the tie.

Handshakes.

End of game - best player recognition.

In between games show by a local baton twirling group. The mascots swept the floor.

The second game was Macedonia verses Tunisia: The teams warming up a bit during the performance.

Warm up continued.
At half time Tamara and I walked around the sports center a bit. Decided to get a picture with this cardboard cutout that was used to advertise ice cream.

Before heading back to our seats we took a look on the lower levels. Got a few pictures before having to go to our seats.

National Anthems for Tunisia and Macedonia.

The baton group off to the side. They are holding the flags of Croatia and Varaždin.

Macedonia. (In black) The boys in white in front are a local Handball team.

Tunisia. The girls in front are a local handball team.

Mascots before the game.

Macedonia fans...there were allot of them and quite enthusiastic! Macedonia fans on the opposite side of the gym.

And the game begins...White is Tunisia and Red is Macedonia.

Macedonia fans. In the front row are some sercutiry gaurds to stop the fans from leaning over the railing.

Half time...the score was 14:13 Macedonia.

A local dance group preformed at the half.

Game over. Tunisia wins 25:24.

Bought myself a T-shirt as a souvineer of the event:

And that's all!