The Evaluation of Competition Performance in Handball – World Cadets Championship Skopje, 2019

Naim Čeleš, Tamara Karalić, Nijaz Skender

This study examined the competitive performance of cadet handball players at the 2019 U19 World Handball Championship held in Skopje, North Macedonia. The research focused on identifying differences in the realization of competitive activities between more successful teams (ranked 1st–4th) and less successful teams (ranked 5th–8th).

The main objective was to determine the level of efficiency of competitive performance among young handball players and to identify potential differences in technical and tactical activities between successful and less successful teams. Statistical and descriptive research methods were applied in the analysis.

The sample consisted of eight national teams that participated in the championship. A total of 72 matches were analyzed, including 36 matches played by the less successful teams and 36 matches played by the successful teams. The study evaluated 17 technical and tactical variables that describe competitive activity in handball. For a more detailed examination, seven key variables related to attacking actions and game efficiency were selected.

The results indicated that the efficiency of technical and tactical elements plays a decisive role in team success. Statistically significant differences were found in two of the seven analyzed variables, both directly related to goal-scoring efficiency and overall competitive success. These findings demonstrate that successful and less successful cadet teams differ significantly in the execution of certain competitive activities.

The study concludes that technical and tactical efficiency, particularly in attacking play, is a major factor influencing success at the highest level of youth handball competition.