Handball Betting

Imagine basketball but more intense. Handball is a sport where athletes always perform at their best. It's fast and exciting, the score can change quickly, and momentum with a quick move or great save. Think of how the teams play, key players and 7-meter penalties. Major club leagues across Europe and prestigious national team tournaments. It's fast-paced for people who like to bet on sports.

A guide to betting on handball

It's quick and easy to place a bet on handball at VivatBet: on top of the page you'll see games from top leagues like the German Bundesliga, Spanish ASOBAL, and European cups like the EHF Champions League. Click on any match and choose the odds you want to bet on. They'll be added to your bet slip. Enter the amount you want to bet and confirm. Live betting is a particularly exciting way to play because of the non-stop nature of the game.

Handball Offers and Promotions at VivatBet

Get more from every fast break. Check out our special offers page for handball. Keep an eye out for special offers like better odds on the big finals (Champions League, World Championships), better odds for multiple bet accas, or a welcome bonus to get you started with your handball betting. These promotions provide extra value in a sport where games are often decided by small margins. Please always read the full terms and conditions for each offer.

Key Terms to Know:

  • Fast Break: A quick counter-attack following a turnover or save, a primary source of easy goals.

  • 7-meter Throw: The equivalent of a penalty shot, awarded for a serious defensive foul inside the 9-meter line.

  • Line Player (Pivot): The offensive player who positions in the defence's centre, crucial for creating space and scoring from close range.

  • Wing Player: The player on the far left or right who typically finishes attacks from sharp angles.

  • 2-Minute Suspension: A temporary sending-off for a foul, creating a powerplay (6 vs 7) situation.

Pros & Cons of Handball Betting

Pros:

  • High-Scoring & Predictable Flow: Games often see 50+ total goals, providing clear trends and reducing low-scoring flukes common in other sports.

  • Strong Home Advantage: The influence of a passionate home crowd in compact arenas is significant and often reflected in odds.

  • Excellent for Live Betting: The rapid back-and-forth and constant scoring create numerous in-play opportunities as odds shift.

  • Clear Team Hierarchies: Dominant clubs (like SC Magdeburg, Barcelona) and national teams (Denmark, France) create reliable betting frameworks.

Cons:

  • Blowout Risk: Mismatches can lead to very one-sided games, making pre-game match-winner odds on favourites very short.

  • Injury Impact: An injury to a key playmaker or goalkeeper can drastically alter a team's performance level.

  • Limited Global Coverage: While major leagues are well-covered, information on smaller European leagues can be scarce in English.

Betting Markets for Handball

  1. Match Winner (1X2): Betting on the outright winner or a draw.

  2. Handicap Betting (Spread): Essential to create value when a powerhouse is playing. E.g., Barcelona -5.5 goals.

  3. Total Goals (Over/Under): The most popular market. Will the combined score be over or under a line like 54.5?

  4. Half-Time/Full-Time (HT/FT): Predicting the result at both half-time and the end of the match.

  5. Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Often paired with a total (e.g., Both Teams to Score Over 24.5).

  6. To Win Both Halves: Betting on a dominant team to win the first and second half.

  7. Outright Winner: Betting on a team to win a league or tournament like the EHF Champions League or World Championship.

Top Competitions in Handball

  • EHF Champions League: The pinnacle of club handball, featuring Europe's elite teams.

  • EHF European League: The second-tier European club competition, known for competitive matches.

  • IHF World Championship (Men's & Women's): A major global national team tournament held every two years.

  • European Championship: The premier national team competition in Europe, incredibly competitive.

  • Olympic Handball Tournament: The ultimate prize, held every four years.

  • Domestic Leagues: The German Bundesliga (HBL), Spanish Liga ASOBAL, and French Ligue Butagaz Énergie are among the strongest.

How do handball odds work?

Handball odds show that the sport is high-scoring. If a favourite is expected to win, the odds might be very short (e.g. 1.10), so it is better to look at the handicap market. The most important thing is the total goals market, where the lines are usually set between 50 and 60 goals for the most important matches. The odds can change quickly during a match. If a team scores five goals in a few minutes, it's much more likely that they'll win the match and by a bigger margin. The team's 7-meter thrower's efficiency is also a critical, often under-priced, factor.

Here are some tips for betting on handball

  • Home Court is Massive: The effect of a noisy home crowd is one of the strongest in team sports. Home advantage is always important.

  • Look at the Goalkeeper Duel: The shape of the two goalkeepers is the most important thing. A good goalkeeper can make the difference between winning and losing a match.

  • Watch out for things like suspension problems and driver fatigue. A 2-minute suspension can be the difference between winning and losing. Also, teams playing their second match in 48 hours are at a big disadvantage.

  • Follow the advice of experts: For in-depth analysis, check out the European Handball Federation (EHF) website, our blog, and local league sites for team news and stats.

  • Seven-Meter (Penalty) Efficiency: In close games, the difference is often how well a team can score from the seven-metre line. Find out who can reliably take penalties.

  • Different types of betting

  • You can place a bet before the match starts. Looking at how well teams play, how they match up against each other, and the home team's advantage before the game starts.

  • Live Betting (In-Play): It's perfect for handball. Be prepared to deal with changes in momentum, the performance of the goalkeeper and the impact of suspensions as the game progresses.

  • Outright Betting: You can place a bet on a team to win a league or a major international competition.

Safe Gambling

The fast pace and excitement of handball should be matched with a calm and controlled betting strategy. Set a firm budget before you start and never exceed it. Utilise the deposit limit and session reminder tools in your VivatBet account. Treat betting as a form of entertainment that enhances your enjoyment of the sport, not as a way to generate income. If you feel your gambling is becoming a concern, please use our responsible gambling tools to take a break or seek external help. Play smart.

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Handball Betting FAQ

What are the basic handball bets?

You can place bets on the Match Winner, Handicap Betting, Total Goals, and Half-Time/Full-Time result. Other options include Odd/Even Total Goals and To Win Both Halves.

How does the handicap system work in handball?

A strong team might have a -3.5 goal handicap. To win the bet, they need to win the match by 4 or more goals. If you bet on the weaker team with a +3.5 handicap, they can lose by 3 goals or less, or win, for your bet to succeed.

Why is the total goals market popular in handball?

Handball is a fast, high-scoring game. Matches often see over 50 goals. This makes the Over/Under Total Goals market active, as you are betting on whether the combined score will be above or below a set number, like 52.5.

Do handball bets include extra time?

Most bets do not apply to extra time. Standard markets like Match Winner or Total Goals cover the full 60 minutes. Bets marked 'To Qualify' or for the knockout stages include extra time.

What's the 'Both Teams to Score' bet for handball?

This is a bet on whether a team will score a specific goal number. Unlike football, it is not a simple 'yes' or 'no' bet. One common bet is "Both Teams to Score Over 24.5 Goals," which means each team must score at least 25 goals.

Are some handball leagues easier to bet on than others?

Major leagues like the German Bundesliga, Spanish Liga ASOBAL, and international events like the EHF Champions League have more information and stable teams, making them a good starting point for betting.