Ahead of the Rio Olympics, handball is breaking out of its traditional European base and becoming a truly global sport. It was completed in November after having avoided the delays that have dogged other Rio Olympic arenas. Norway's women arrive as world, Olympic and European champions. Another mouthwatering matchup on August 2012 sees Norway's women face Montenegro in a repeat of the 2012 Olympic gold medal game. Three days, later France's men play Qatar in a repeat of last year's world championship final, which France won 25-22.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 27, 2016 16:07 UTC