The modern game of handball was first played towards the end of the 19th century in Denmark, Germany and Sweden. Recognition of field handball based on the games of "Raffball" (snatch ball) and "Königsbergerball" (Konrad Koch, 1846-1911) occurred at the turn of the century. G. Wallström introduced Sweden to the sport of "handball" in 1910.

The sport evolved and grew in popularity early in the 20th century and ironically it was the secretary general of the Association Internationale de Football, a Dutchman called Hirschmann, who encouraged the spread of field handball in 1912. The first set of rules for field handball were drawn up in 1917 by Max Heiser, and in 1919 Berlin sports teacher Karl Schelenz launched this form of handball played on a full size outdoor football pitch. Later on he improved the rules and he is now generally regarded as one of the founding fathers of handball.

The International Amateur Handball Federation (IAHF) was set up in 1928 on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Amsterdam. In 1938 the first Field Handball World Championship was played in Germany. The International Handball Federation was formed in 1946 by the eight founding members of the IAHF. At that time both the 11-a-side field handball played in Europe and a new 7-a-side indoor version preferred by the Scandinavians had equal popularity. Between 1938 and 1966 both forms of handball were played at separate World Championships.

(BOCOG)