For sportspeople around the world the Olympic Games are the highlight of all major events. London is calling this year – and handball will again be one of the most attractive and most watched team sports on the Olympic Programme. 24 teams in total –12 men’s and women’s team each – will be contending for medals under the five Olympic Rings. After a long and high-tension qualification phase on continental level and as part of the IHF World Championships half of the 24 teams to be precise have meanwhile been established. The next stage that is the final one before reaching London - the dream destination - will be a total of six Olympic Qualification Tournaments. Six places for the Men’s Olympic Handball Tournament will be at stake over the Easter Weekend in Gothenburg (SWE), Alicante (ESP) and Varazdin (CRO). I trust the tournaments will be a great success for the sport of handball – and: May the best teams win to book a spot at the London Olympics!