Handball in the Faroe Islands: From Schoolyards to International Success
The Faroese Handball Association (Hondbóltsamband Føroya) was founded on 19th April 1980, but it was as far back as the 1920s that Faroese people began playing handball.
The Beginnings of Handball in the Faroes
It was women who first started playing handball in the Faroe Islands. Girls at the Secondary School in Tórshavn began playing handball in the schoolyard in 1928-29, when a young Danish teacher was working as a substitute in Tórshavn for a short period. She introduced the sport to the Faroese girls. Gradually, the boys joined in, and the first club, Neistin, was founded on 21st March 1931. The interest in the sport quickly spread, and several more clubs were established throughout the 1930s.
After the Faroese Sports Federation (Ítróttarsamband Føroya) was founded in 1939, a national handball tournament was organised. The first Faroese championship tournament took place in 1943, with both women and men participating – seven women’s teams and four men’s teams. For the women, Neistin, Aldan, Ternan, Stjørnan, Vípan, TB, and VB took part. For the men, StÍF, VÍF, and two teams from Tórshavn competed; one comprised scouts, and the other from Havnar Fimleikafelag (Tórshavn’s Gymnastics Association). The following year, participation more than doubled, with 26 teams competing in the 1944 Faroese championship.
Sports Halls and International Membership
In the 1970s, several sports halls were built around the islands, which significantly strengthened the sport. The Faroe Islands gained international membership in the International Handball Federation (IHF) in 1972 and participated in international tournaments throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s – a prosperous time when handball flourished.
After a somewhat unstable period with less activity in the late 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, the sport has once again gained momentum. In 2013, a targeted development plan was implemented to ensure stable and continuous progress, comparable to our neighbouring countries. The aim was to secure better financial, administrative, and sporting support for the activity.
The Faroe Islands at the Highest Level
The development has been evident. The Faroe Islands now regularly compete in final tournaments with youth national teams, achieving good results. Both the men’s and women’s national teams have now qualified for the European Championships in 2024, which has given Faroese people a sport to rally around, competing at the highest international level. Faroese professional players are now seen in top handball clubs and leagues across Europe, and they are regularly mentioned in international sports media. They have become role models for Faroese children and youth.
This positive development has boosted interest in playing handball in the Faroe Islands, and today, interest is at a record high. There are 13 clubs, and around 3,100 people play handball, making the Faroe Islands the country with the highest number of handball players per capita – approximately 5%, with an equal distribution between genders.
Ári Rouch
The 25KR stamp features Elias Ellefsen á Skipagøtu, currently playing for THW Kiel in Germany, while the 48KR stamp showcases Jana Mittún, who plays for the Danish club Viborg HK. Both are key players for their respective national handball teams.
