International handball competition returns to Medway Park

Elite women’s handball returns to Medway Park this weekend as the sports centre plays host to the European Women’s Challenge Cup.

Lithuanian side ACME-Zalgiris Kaunas will travel to Medway to take on London GD Handball Club on Saturday, 18 November.

It’s the second time that Medway Park has hosted a fixture in the women’s European club cup competition.

Medway Park is building a strong reputation as a handball venue having also hosted the national universities competition, under 23 world cup qualifiers and an international club friendly, as well as being home to the Medway Dragons teams.

David Meli, Chief Executive of England Handball, said: “England Handball is delighted that, with the support of Medway Park, London GD are able to host their Women’s European Challenge Cup tie on home soil.  The chance to showcase our exciting, high-scoring, action-packed sport to the public is a great opportunity to continue to raise the profile of handball in England.”

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “We are thrilled that Medway Park will host another international sporting event and we are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of university students to Medway. I hope residents will take the opportunity to watch athletes in action right on their doorstep.”

Before the Challenge Cup match starts at 6pm there will be a regional universities competition organised by England Handball. There will also be pre-match, and half-time, cheerleading entertainment.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and under 18s go free. Tickets will be available on the door or you can book online at www.medway.gov.uk/leisurebookings

Handball factfile

• Handball is a combination of football, basketball and water polo
• It is a team sport where two teams of seven players each pass a ball using their hands in attempt to score goals
• The origins of the game are thought to date back to ancient Greece
• It is the second largest sport in Europe.
• Indoor handball has been an Olympic sport since 1972 (men) and 1976 (women)
• The Women’s EHF Challenge Cup is an annual team handball competition for women’s clubs of Europe, organised by the European Handball Federation