Guest Blogger: Handball Referees Adam Nilsson & Samuel Kähler

Christmas and New Year have passed, but during the holidays, it was time for the equally traditional post-Christmas handball match. This time, a trip to Västerås was on the schedule. A double event between Västerås and Kungälv, where both women's and men's representative teams were set to meet. We were assigned to referee the men's match.

As handball referees, we attend several courses throughout the season. One of these is called the Midwinter Meeting. The Midwinter Meeting is a gathering where we referees come together to strengthen consensus within the federation referee group and where referee officials can provide feedback on this year’s rule directives. During this meeting, two representatives from Spintso participated for the first time, who are also active referees themselves.

During the meeting, these representatives, who are active football referees, pointed out that they perceive that we handball referees use more body language than they do in football. An interesting observation that led to a rewarding dialogue and reflections on how important it is for us referees to communicate and make the right decisions on the court – while also signaling this with both the whistle, voice, and body language. This is an area where we can always improve and develop further.

Already during youth handball, referee mentors emphasize the importance of using clear body language in our role. Although this is instilled from the beginning, it becomes clear that the significance of good body language increases the higher up in the divisions we advance. Body language is incredibly important – not only for the players on the court but also for the audience and TV viewers. Body language also provides spectators with insight into what is being said and why certain decisions are made on the court.

One of the few technical tools we handball referees use is our headset. It is also equipment that we, at our level, must pay for ourselves. Ahead of the 24/25 season, we decided to invest in new communication equipment: Refcom II from Spintso – a system developed by referees, for referees. The system has helped us improve collaboration on the court and also with the match delegate. During assignments where the delegate has chosen to participate in the communication, they have had the opportunity to listen and/or communicate with us during the match. This has led to more in-depth discussions afterward.

We are currently in an intense championship period in handball, where tournaments follow one another. After the Olympics this past summer, the Women's European Championship recently concluded, and in January, it is time for the Men's World Championship. A championship held in Denmark, Norway, and Croatia. Many exciting matches with high intensity await. Sweden's national team prepared with two matches against Iceland, played in Kristianstad and Malmö. Follow the national team in their quest for medals – either live at the arena or via the screen. The latest medal was a silver in the European Championship, and in the last World Championship, we finished in fourth place, just outside the podium. What will it be this time?