US Team Handball Women's National Team

This weekend, the USA Team Handball Women’s National Team (WNT) will face-off against Montreal (Celtique), a team that is currently ranked second in the competitive Canadian team handball league known as the Circuit Quebecois (Quebec League). The WNT will play two games against Celtique, both of which will be held on their home court in the Lusk Field House on the SUNY Cortland Campus.

During their regular season, which usually runs from November through April, the WNT compete in both the Quebec League and the Northeast Team Handball Conference (NETHC). Although this is the first game for the WNT in the Quebec League, they are currently ranked first in the NETHC, with a record of 4-0. However, the Quebec League is considered the most competitive Team Handball league in North America, and the best regional source of quality competition for the WNT, who are currently training full-time to prepare for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The WNT come into the games with a record of 2-1 (W-L) against Montreal. Although the WNT has a deeper bench, and more experienced players than last year, they have also suffered some recent set backs with a few of their players still recovering from injuries. Still, WNT Head Coach Christian Latulippe is hopeful: “I think if some of our new players step-up, it will be a close game”.

Montreal, on the other hand, enters the match with four games already behind them in the Quebec League. The team, which finished sixth in the Quebec League last year, is currently ranked second with an overall winning record of 2-1-1.

Montreal has also benefited from the addition of Fabienne Raphaelle, the current leading scorer of the Quebec League (28 goals in four games), who has recently returned from playing professional handball in Denmark. Her presence, coupled with several Canadian National Team players, makes for a strong team.

Although both teams enter the Quebec League with great promise, the WNT is determined to see themselves in the playoffs this year. “This is something we can do, however, we will need to play as a team, control our emotions and stay concentrated on our job. We have the athletic skills to be contenders for the Playoff title this year. Can we blend together and progress fast enough to be in the Finals? The answer is in our hands,” said Coach Latulippe.

The WNT hopes you will come support Team USA as they face Montreal in what will surely be two very intense matches. The first game will begin at 6pm on Saturday (Dec. 3), with the second being held on Sunday (Dec. 4) at 10am. Both games will take place in the Lusk Field House on the SUNY Cortland Campus (entry fee 2$ for adults, students and children free).
For more information about the WNT and the Quebec League (along with results), please visit their website: www.usateamhandballwomen.com