Olympics

Olympic Controversy: South Korea Protests Norway's Last-Second Handball Goal

Posted Aug 22, 2008 3:45PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Asia, Europe

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Even if you're like me and practically all Americans and you know nothing about handball, you have to admit that this is a thrilling way to end a game:

With one second left and the game tied 28-28, Norway's Gro Hammerseng threw the ball past South Korea's goalie, Lee Min-hee, from about 25 feet away, giving Norway a 29-28 victory.

Or did she? South Korea insists that the goal actually crossed the line after time had expired, and that the game should have gone into overtime. I've looked at the video a few times and think the South Koreans are right, at least if the clock in the upper left corner of the screen is the correct time.

But the International Handball Federation and the International Olympic Committee say the goal will be upheld, and South Korea's protests will be denied. So Norway will play Russia for the gold medal and South Korea will play Hungary for the bronze.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-23-2008 @ 12:40PM

lisa said...

handball is an olympic sport??? they are getting rid of baseball and softball for handball and BMX and a load of other sports we dont care about

8-23-2008 @ 11:44PM

dora said...

im sorry to say this, but that is really arrogant! handball and BMX is sports that MANY nations compete and are good at, and how nationally spread is baseball and softball? It sounds like you want the olympics to only consist of sports americans know and are good at and i think that is bs..

8-24-2008 @ 8:22AM

Vyse said...

Hear hear!

I'm norwegian, and in our country handball is one of the biggest sporting events we have. We don't do or care about baseball or softball... heck, I don't even know the difference between the two, however I still respect the athletes working their asses off to get good at what they do. Handball is our basketball, and we're obviously good at it, so I admit I took slight offence by lisa's comment.

However, seeing that we won the gold medal in the finale, its all good! Cheers!