Men's handball squad named

The British Olympic Association has named a 14-man handball squad to represent Team GB at London 2012.

BOA selects 14-dtrong squad to compete at London 2012

The British Olympic Association has named a 14-strong men's handball squad to represent Team GB at London 2012. Team GB has taken advantage of host nation places to field a team in the sport for the first time, with the men's squad the second to be named after the women's party was revealed in June. The British Handball Association launched its performance programme in 2006, the year after the Games were awarded to London, and the team has since made encouraging progress. "These men will go down in British Olympic history as our very first representatives in handball, and hopefully paving the way for a bright future for Team GB in the sport," Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt said. "This is another massive milestone, and the collective work of the players and the coaches means that we have a very competitive squad that we believe can produce some inspirational performances in London this summer."

Hard decision

Head coach Dragan Djukic said of making the selection: "It was the hardest decision in my life, because our players have invested the last six years of their lives in the GB programme, but the situation that we have a chance up to the quarter-final to change injured players, with any player from the long list, gave us the chance to reward the 15 players (one reserve has also been named) who invested the most over this period. "In the end, the best 15 (14 plus on reserve) are selected and now it is time for concentration and to add the final touches for the start of the Olympic Tournament and the opening game against world and Olympic champions France." GB will also take on Sweden, Argentina, Tunisia and Beijing silver-medallists Iceland in their pool, with the top four qualifying for the knock-out stages. Left wing Mark Hawkins said: "It is an absolute honour to be selected to the GB Men's Handball team for the 2012 Olympic Games. Words can't describe the feeling, it is the peak of any athlete's career and it is a privilege to be able to compete on that stage on home soil." Men's handball team for London 2012: Bob White), Jesper Parker, John Pearce, Mark Hawkins, Martin Hare, Ciaran Williams, Chris Mohr, Steven Larsson, Seb Edgar, Seb Prieto, Gawain Vincent, Robin Garnham, Dan McMillan, Chris McDermott.
Reserve: Nicholas Satchwell