The Best 30 Handball Players of All Time

Handball is one of the most popular team sports in the world, with millions of followers and fans around the globe. Over the years, several players have dominated the game and left a lasting legacy in the sport. Here are the best 30 handball players of all time.

1. Thierry Omeyer

Known as ‘The Wall,’ French goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer is regarded by many as the greatest handball player of all time. He won two Olympic gold medals, six world championships, and three European titles during his illustrious career.

2. Nikola Karabatic

Nikola Karabatic is one of the best handball players of all time, with numerous titles and accolades to his name. He has won four Olympic medals, five world championships, and four European titles, in addition to being named IHF World Player of the Year multiple times.

3. Ivano Balic

Croatian playmaker Ivano Balic was a dazzling presence on the handball court, with his skill and creativity setting him apart from his peers. He led his team to Olympic gold in 2004 and was named FIFA World Handball Player of the Year twice.

4. Karol Bielecki

Polish player Karol Bielecki was dominant in the 2000s, taking his country to unprecedented heights in international handball. He led Poland to Olympic bronze in 2008 and won two world championships, along with numerous club titles.

5. Sandor Torzsas

Hungarian player Sandor Torzsas was a force on the handball court during the 1970s and 80s, leading his country to Olympic gold in 1976 and several European titles. He was also regarded as one of the best defenders in the game.

6. Luka Karabatic

Luka Karabatic, brother of Nikola Karabatic, has carved out his own legacy in the sport, winning Olympic gold and several world and European titles. He is known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions on the court.

7. Lars Klemmensen

Danish player Lars Klemmensen was a key figure in Denmark’s rise to one of the dominant teams in world handball. He won two Olympic gold medals and two world championships, along with several club titles.

8. Mirza Dzomba

Croatian right-winger Mirza Dzomba was a skillful and creative player, known for his ability to score crucial goals in important matches. He won Olympic gold and several world and European titles during his career.

9. Dominik Klein

German player Dominik Klein was a mainstay on the national team for a decade, bringing his country to multiple Olympic and world championship successes. He was known for his speed and agility on the wing.

10. Erick Gull

Swedish player Erick Gull was the star of his country’s Olympic gold-winning team in 1992, helping to usher in a new era of success for Swedish handball. He also won several world and European titles during his career.

11. Anders Eggert

Danish player Anders Eggert was a prolific scorer during his career, known for his deadly accuracy from the wing. He won Olympic gold and several world and European titles, along with numerous individual honors.

12. Stefan Lövgren

Swedish player Stefan Lövgren was instrumental in his country’s rise to dominance in European handball during the 1990s. He won Olympic gold and three world championships, along with numerous club titles.

13. Pascal Hens

German player Pascal Hens was a versatile and creative presence on the handball court, able to play multiple positions at a high level. He won Olympic gold and several world and European titles during his career.

14. Gheorghe Covaciu

Romanian player Gheorghe Covaciu was one of the best goalkeepers in handball during the 1980s, leading his country to Olympic gold in 1984. He was also a dominant force in European club handball.

15. Bo Spellerberg

Danish player Bo Spellerberg was known for his speed and energy on the wing, helping to bring his country to multiple international titles. He was named Danish Player of the Year multiple times during his career.

16. Enric Masip

Spanish player Enric Masip was a key player in his country’s dominant handball teams during the 1990s and 2000s. He won Olympic gold and several world and European titles, along with numerous individual honors.

17. Ola Lindgren

Swedish player Ola Lindgren was a stolid presence on the handball court, known for his strong defense and leadership. He won Olympic gold and two world championships, along with numerous club titles.

18. Jorg Ahlm

German player Jorg Ahlm was a stalwart in his country’s national team for over a decade, helping to bring Germany to multiple international successes. He also won numerous individual honors during his career.

19. Arizaleta

Spanish player Arizaleta was the captain of the legendary Barcelona handball team of the early 1990s, with his leadership and skill helping to bring his team to numerous international titles. He was also an integral member of the Spanish national team during this period.

20. Daniel Narcisse

French player Daniel Narcisse was vital in his country’s recent successes in handball, helping France to multiple Olympic, world, and European titles. He was known for his skill and creativity on the court.

21. Talant Dujshebaev

Kazakhstani player Talant Dujshebaev was an integral member of the dominant Spanish handball team during the 1990s, helping Spain to numerous international titles as captain. He also had a successful career as a coach after retiring from playing.

22. Alfons Flinikowski

Polish player Alfons Flinikowski played a crucial role in Poland’s gold medal win at the 1976 Olympics, excelling as a left-winger. He was also a standout player in European club handball during the 1970s and 80s.

23. Filip Jicha

Czech player Filip Jicha was a prolific scorer during his career, with his skill on the court helping his teams to numerous titles. He won Olympic gold and several world and European titles.

24. Magnus Wislander

Swedish player Magnus Wislander was considered one of the best handball players of the 1990s, with his skill and creativity helping to lead his country to multiple international titles. He won Olympic gold and two world championships.

25. Vyacheslav Atavin

Russian player Vyacheslav Atavin was an accomplished defender during his handball career, captaining the Soviet Union to Olympic gold in 1988. He was also a vital player for the Russian national team during the 1990s.

26. Lasse Boesen

Danish player Lasse Boesen was a key member of the Denmark team that won Olympic gold in 2016, showcasing his skill and creativity as a shooter. He also had a successful club career, winning numerous titles with FC Barcelona.

27. Bertrand Gille

French player Bertrand Gille was a linchpin of the dominant French handball team of the 2000s and 2010s, with his skill as a defender helping to lead his country to numerous international titles. He won Olympic gold and several world and European titles.

28. Dragan Skrbic

Serbian player Dragan Skrbic was an imposing presence on the handball court, with his strength and power setting him apart from his peers. He won Olympic gold and several world and European titles during his career.

29. Carlos Perez

Spanish player Carlos Perez was a mainstay on the Spanish national team during the 1990s and 2000s, leading his country to numerous international successes. He was known for his skill and creativity on the court.

30. Bjarte Myrhol

Norwegian player Bjarte Myrhol was a key player for his country during the early 2000s, helping Norway to its first-ever Olympic medal in handball. He also won several world and European titles during his career.

In conclusion, these players have left a lasting legacy in handball and will always be remembered as some of the best to have ever played the game. Their skill, creativity, and leadership have set the standard for generations of players to come.