To referee is life

Christmas Eve is only a few days away and there are some days off that are not dedicated to handball for us.

When you talk about what it takes to be a referee, many things are mentioned, but "sacrifice" is one thing that is mentioned often and certainly it is true. Prioritizing a match first instead of the party with friends, the family dinner or the Friday cozy is normal for us referees, but still nothing compared to the sacrifices one's fantastic family has to make in order for us to be able to referee, the family that rarely gets to take part in the match at all. Planning and structuring a life and an everyday life where no week is the same is not easy, but at every match you still stand there and the excitement, adrenaline and community remind you why you still think it's worth it.

Sacrifices (or maybe it's priorities) are required of everyone in everything more or less, so when Christmas comes it's a perfect opportunity for many to devote their time to those who always deserve it but rarely get it.

Sports on Boxing Day then come as traditionally as Christmas itself. The batteries are fully charged again, and the last match feels far away, even though no more time has passed between the matches than usual. Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not, Boxing Day sports are something special and it doesn't matter if it's Swedish Boxing Day bandy, English football or any other sport. The excitement, adrenaline and community are back no matter what kind of Christmas you just left behind.

This year we are giving tips on Swedish handball! On Boxing Day we head to Kristianstad to referee SHE handball and there are many matches to choose from as a spectator on this day, regardless of whether you want to come to the hall or stay in front of the TV. Second-day matches are also played in the handball league, and the days in between are the last chance to see the handball league in almost a month before the series takes a WC break. Incidentally, a WC which is played here in Sweden, among other countries.

We wish you a nice Christmas (holiday?) and a good new exciting sports year!

//Adam Nilsson & Samuel Kähler, Handball Referees