Road to Rio 2016 Olympics

[Wbk]

As the upcoming 2014 EURO will be the first qualification event, it will be useful to explain full qualification system for the 2016 Olympic Games.

This is the qualification timeline frame:

timeline.jpg (152.73 KiB) Viewed 6178 times

Here you go for the full qualification system document:
http://corporate.olympics.com.au/files/ ... ndball.pdf
the same document on alt. link here:
http://comiteolimpicoportugal.pt/wp-con ... ndebol.pdf


As for the timeline, from what I know, African Women's Qualification event won't take place in January 2016, but already in March 2015 in Luanda (Angola). Seems a bit strange for me to make such an additional tournament for Africa, because in September 2015 there will be continental All-Africa Games (in Congo) as well, which would be an adequate qualification event.

[mikh]

Teamhandball news have a similar document which I believe goes even more in depth (qualification for the qualifying events). You can find the women events here and the male events here.

[mikh]

In the meantime, the Central American and Caribbean Games took place in Veracruz, Mexico.

In the women's competition:
Final: Cuba - Puerto Rico 32:18
Bronze Final: Mexico - Dominican Rep. 24:15

Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico qualify for the PanAm Games in Toronto (last qualifying stage for the OG), while Mexico and Colombia (5th place) will join USA and the 4th placed from South America in the 2nd chance tournament.
I don't know exactly what's the status of the Dominican Rep. since I know they were suspended from all IHF competitions because of the passport scandal regarding their youth players at the WCh they hosted a few years ago.

I think it's worth saying that the stakes are high in the Americas since Brazil is qualified as organizer and the rest of the teams are battling for an otherwise highly unlikely spot at the Olympics.

In the male competition:
Final: Dominican Rep. - Puerto Rico 27:37
Bronze Final: Mexico - Cuba 22:32

Puerto Rico, Dominican Rep. and Cuba advance to the PanAm Games in Toronto, while Mexico and Colombia (5h place) join USA and the 4th team from South America in the 2nd chance tournament.

Situation will probably be less complicated here as the team joining Brazil at the OG will most likely be Argentina.

[Wbk]

In the meantime, the Central American and Caribbean Games took place in Veracruz, Mexico.

...

Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico qualify for the PanAm Games in Toronto (last qualifying stage for the OG), while Mexico and Colombia (5th place) will join USA and the 4th placed from South America in the 2nd chance tournament.
I don't know exactly what's the status of the Dominican Rep. since I know they were suspended from all IHF competitions because of the passport scandal regarding their youth players at the WCh they hosted a few years ago.

I think it's worth saying that the stakes are high in the Americas since Brazil is qualified as organizer and the rest of the teams are battling for an otherwise highly unlikely spot at the Olympics.

From what I know, only three teams, Dominican Republic, USA and Uruguay (Colombia not), have right to play in the 2nd chance tournament to qualify for the Panamerican Games. It should take place in March 2015.

Dominican Republic three year international stop was cancelled , only bans for players and officials remained valid.

[Wbk]

Old-new European Champion Norway also earned ticket to Rio 2016 ! The second qualified country after host Brazil, congrats!

[Wbk]

As for the timeline, from what I know, African Women's Qualification event won't take place in January 2016, but already in March 2015 in Luanda (Angola). Seems a bit strange for me to make such an additional tournament for Africa, because in September 2015 there will be continental All-Africa Games (in Congo) as well, which would be an adequate qualification event.

Algeria gives up on Olympic qualification, Senegal to join it instead.
African OG qualification tournament will take place between 18 and 22 March 2015 in Luanda (Angola) with 4 national teams: Angola, Tunisia, Congo DR and Senegal.

[Wbk]

Japan will host the Asian Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament from 19 to 28 October 2015 in Nagoya City.

[Wbk]

African OG qualification tournament will take place between 18 and 22 March 2015 in Luanda (Angola) with 4 national teams: Angola, Tunisia, Congo DR and Senegal.

Schedule of African Olympic Qualification Tournament (times are local = CET):

Thursday, 19 Mar 2015
17h00 TUNISIA - DR CONGO
19h00 ANGOLA - SENEGAL

Friday, 20 Mar 2015
17h00 SENEGAL - TUNISIA
19h00 ANGOLA - DR CONGO

Saturday, 21 Mar 2015
17h00 DR CONGO - SENEGAL
19h00 ANGOLA - TUNISIA

[Wbk]

Schedule of African Olympic Qualification Tournament (times are local = CET):

Thursday, 19 Mar 2015
17h00 TUNISIA - DR CONGO
19h00 ANGOLA - SENEGAL

Friday, 20 Mar 2015
17h00 SENEGAL - TUNISIA
19h00 ANGOLA - DR CONGO

Saturday, 21 Mar 2015
17h00 DR CONGO - SENEGAL
19h00 ANGOLA - TUNISIA

Results of first two days in Luanda:

Tunisia v DR Congo 26-21 (14:11)
Angola v Senegal 38-21 (20:10)

Senegal v Tunisia 19-25 (13:13)
Angola v DR Congo 36-28 (19:13)

Angola and Tunisia to decide it all in the direct encounter tomorrow. Winner books ticket to Rio (draw is enough for Angola), runner-up will have second chance to qualify through the IHF Qualification Tournament in spring 2016.

[Wbk]

Angola and Tunisia to decide it all in the direct encounter tomorrow. Winner books ticket to Rio (draw is enough for Angola), runner-up will have second chance to qualify through the IHF Qualification Tournament in spring 2016.

Angola v Tunisia 26-23 (10:12)

Angola is the third team qualified for the 2016 Olympics

[Wbk]

Update on next olympic qualification events:

2015 Pan American Games on 15–24 July 2015
* Winner to qualify for Olympics.
* If Brazil is the winner, runner-up qualifies for Olympics.


2015 Asian OG Qualification Tournament on 19–28 October
* winner to qualify for Olympics.


2015 World Championship on 5–20 December 2015
* winner to qualify for Olympics.
** if Norway is the World champion, Spain (second at 2014 ECh) goes to Olympics.
** if Angola is the World champion, Tunisia (second at 2015 African olympic qualification) goes to Olympics.
** if the winner of 2015 Asian Olympic qualification^^ is the World champion, runner-up from 2015 Asian Olympic qualification^^ goes to Olympics.
** if Brazil or second Panamerican team already qualified (decided at 2015 Panamerican Games^^) is the World champion, next best-placed team from 2015 Panamerican Games^^ goes to Olympics.


I hope I got it right. It means that surely we will have at least 2, but also possible 3 teams from Panamerica in 2016 OG. Brazil can earn the third Panamerican ticket to Rio at the WCh in Denmark

[Marco Aurelio]

** if Brazil or second Panamerican team already qualified (decided at 2015 Panamerican Games^^) is the World champion, next best-placed team from 2015 Panamerican Games^^ goes to Olympics.


I hope I got it right. It means that surely we will have at least 2, but also possible 3 teams from Panamerica in 2016 OG. Brazil can earn the third Panamerican ticket to Rio at the WCh in Denmark

I hope it's not true.
Should be the WCh 2nd instead, otherwise that would mean that the Word Championships's spot would go to Pan Am, which would be a nonsense.

[Wbk]

** if Brazil or second Panamerican team already qualified (decided at 2015 Panamerican Games^^) is the World champion, next best-placed team from 2015 Panamerican Games^^ goes to Olympics.


I hope I got it right. It means that surely we will have at least 2, but also possible 3 teams from Panamerica in 2016 OG. Brazil can earn the third Panamerican ticket to Rio at the WCh in Denmark

I hope it's not true.
Should be the WCh 2nd instead, otherwise that would mean that the Word Championships's spot would go to Pan Am, which would be a nonsense.

And what if that second...third/fourth/fifth at the WCh will be the team already qualified? WCh playing system just cannot deal with the situation you described. Moreover, I wonder what would happen with the OG Qualification tournaments in this case.

[Marco Aurelio]

** if Brazil or second Panamerican team already qualified (decided at 2015 Panamerican Games^^) is the World champion, next best-placed team from 2015 Panamerican Games^^ goes to Olympics.


I hope I got it right. It means that surely we will have at least 2, but also possible 3 teams from Panamerica in 2016 OG. Brazil can earn the third Panamerican ticket to Rio at the WCh in Denmark

I hope it's not true.
Should be the WCh 2nd instead, otherwise that would mean that the Word Championships's spot would go to Pan Am, which would be a nonsense.

And what if that second...third/fourth/fifth at the WCh will be the team already qualified? WCh playing system just cannot deal with the situation you described. Moreover, I wonder what would happen with the OG Qualification tournaments in this case.

Let's imagine the following WCh order: 1 Brazil, 2. Montenegro, 3. Hungary, 4.Serbia, 5. Norway, 6. Denmark, 7. Romania, 8. Germany, 9. France, 10. Sweden.

We both agree on Brazil already in Rio as organizer.
I say, the World Champion spot at Rio should be taken by Montenegro.
I say, Norway goes to Rio as Ech winner.
And going to the quali tournaments: Hungary, Serbia, Denmark, Romania, Germany, France (from the Wch) and Sweden + Spain (from the Ech)
And you say that the World Champion spot should be given to a Pan Am Country in this case, not to Montenegro?

[Wbk]

Let's imagine the following WCh order: 1 Brazil, 2. Montenegro, 3. Hungary, 4.Serbia, 5. Norway, 6. Denmark, 7. Romania, 8. Germany, 9. France, 10. Sweden.

...

And you say that the World Champion spot should be given to a Pan Am Country in this case, not to Montenegro?

Matches for 9-10 place are not played at the WCh - that's what I meant under the irelevant playing system.
Now imagine you have to send somebody through/home according to some "strange" criterium based on the comparison of performances in the WCh preliminary groups...

[Marco Aurelio]

Matches for 9-10 place are not played at the WCh - that's what I meant under the irelevant playing system.
Now imagine you have to send somebody through/home according to some "strange" criterium based on the comparison of performances in the WCh preliminary groups...

Already happened in 2011, so nothing new.

[Wbk]

You're right
* if the organiser is the World Champion, the second-ranked national team of the respective World Championship shall take the direct spot for the Olympics.

Source: http://ihf.info/files/Uploads/NewsAttac ... ons_GB.pdf

[Wbk]

Still I have two questions:

What will happen if the final ranking of 2015 WCh will be like this: 1. Brazil, 2.Norway, 3.Asian team already qualified for OG (South Korea?), 4.any team non-qualified for OG... Can any team qualify to OG from the 4th place at WCh?

Moreover, less probable, what if the second Panamerican team already qualified for OG 2016 from Panamerican Games (Cuba? Argentina?) is World Champion...

[OltchimRmValcea]

Still I have two questions:

What will happen if the final ranking of 2015 WCh will be like this: 1. Brazil, 2.Norway, 3.Asian team already qualified for OG (South Korea?), 4.any team non-qualified for OG... Can any team qualify to OG from the 4th place at WCh?

In this case ofc, why not

Matches for 9-10 place are not played at the WCh - that's what I meant under the irelevant playing system.
Now imagine you have to send somebody through/home according to some "strange" criterium based on the comparison of performances in the WCh preliminary groups...

Already happened in 2011, so nothing new.

Ok, but look at this. (WCh 2013) I don't understand why is Spain in front of Montenegro and Romania...

[Marco Aurelio]

Still I have two questions:

What will happen if the final ranking of 2015 WCh will be like this: 1. Brazil, 2.Norway, 3.Asian team already qualified for OG (South Korea?), 4.any team non-qualified for OG... Can any team qualify to OG from the 4th place at WCh?

Moreover, less probable, what if the second Panamerican team already qualified for OG 2016 from Panamerican Games (Cuba? Argentina?) is World Champion...

From the WCH, directly ONLY the champion qualifies FOR RIO, but if this is Brazil, then the silver medallist.
All the other teams can qualify (from the Wch) FOR THE QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENTS IN MAY 2016. Not Rio.
The continental champions (or the continental quali winners) don't count when naming the 6 teams for the QTin MAY 16 from the Wch.

So to your 2nd question: 1. Brazil (in Rio), 2. Norway (in Rio as "world champion" and therefore Spain in Rio as "european ch.), 3. "Asian Team" (in Rio as Asian champ/qualificator frm an other event), 4. for example: Hungary (GETS THE 1st spot from 6 to the quali tournaments in MAY 16), etc...

[Marco Aurelio]

Ok, but look at this. (WCh 2013) I don't understand why is Spain in front of Montenegro and Romania...

I knew the system back then by heart, certain results did not count.

[Joana]

Basketball has the most simple and effective qualifying system. Continental champions (or finalists) advance directly and a certain number of next best teams go to the qualifying tournament.
The one used in volleyball is too drawn out and arbitrary at some points and let's not get started on the handball mess.

[Wbk]

Still I have two questions:

What will happen if the final ranking of 2015 WCh will be like this: 1. Brazil, 2.Norway, 3.Asian team already qualified for OG (South Korea?), 4.any team non-qualified for OG... Can any team qualify to OG from the 4th place at WCh?

Moreover, less probable, what if the second Panamerican team already qualified for OG 2016 from Panamerican Games (Cuba? Argentina?) is World Champion...

From the WCH, directly ONLY the champion qualifies FOR RIO, but if this is Brazil, then the silver medallist.
All the other teams can qualify (from the Wch) FOR THE QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENTS IN MAY 2016. Not Rio.
The continental champions (or the continental quali winners) don't count when naming the 6 teams for the QTin MAY 16 from the Wch.

So to your 2nd question: 1. Brazil (in Rio), 2. Norway (in Rio as "world champion" and therefore Spain in Rio as "european ch.), 3. "Asian Team" (in Rio as Asian champ/qualificator frm an other event), 4. for example: Hungary (GETS THE 1st spot from 6 to the quali tournaments in MAY 16), etc...

Ok, this sounds good

[Wbk]

Panamerican Games started in Toronto.

Tonight, crucial match between Argentina and Cuba is going to take place. Assuming the level of other Panamerican teams and tournament's playing system, it is most likely the direct encounter for a place at Olympics. Entire history is at stake, as neither Argentinian nor Cuban women's team have participated in handball tournament at OG so far. Match of the life for all who is involved.

Match starts at 00:30 CET tonight (night Saturday 18th -> Sunday 19th July).

Livestreaming will be available here: http://www.lateleenvivo.com/canales/tycsports.php

[mikh]

^ Thank you for the link! I was following the results due to their implications for the OG lineup, but I couldn't find any stream. A win for Cuba wouldn't surprise me. Argentina will also have a difficult match against Chile.

Also worth noting that there is a good chance for both semifinal losers will represent PanAm at the repechage tournaments. It will happen if Brazil finishes above Korea and Angola in the WCh.