South Korea Women's National Handball Team: Olympic Journey and Roster
The South Korea women's national handball team entered the global stage with high ambitions, having secured their place in the Olympics through a dominant performance at the 2023 Asian Qualification Tournament in Hiroshima, Japan. By winning the gold medal, the team earned an outright berth, marking their return to the world's most prestigious sporting event.
Under the guidance of head coach Henrik Signell, the team underwent a rigorous selection process. An initial 22-player squad was announced on May 14, 2024, which was later streamlined to a final 17-player roster on July 2, 2024, to optimize performance and chemistry on the court.
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Key Facts
- Qualification: Secured via a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Qualification Tournament.
- Head Coach: Henrik Signell.
- Top Scorer (Career): Ryu Eun-hee with 524 goals.
- Olympic Venue: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris.
- Group Stage Result: Finished 5th in their group with one victory.
Team Roster and Player Profiles
The squad features a blend of experienced veterans and emerging talents. The team is anchored by Ryu Eun-hee, a Right Back (RB) with an impressive record of 171 appearances and 524 goals, playing for Győri ETO KC.
| No. | Name | Position | Height | Apps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Song Ji-young | RW | 1.64 m | 29 | 55 | Seoul City |
| 7 | Shin Eun-joo | LW | 1.70 m | 56 | 106 | Incheon City |
| 11 | Ryu Eun-hee | RB | 1.79 m | 171 | 524 | Győri ETO KC |
| 12 | Jeong Jin-hui | GK | 1.80 m | 33 | 0 | Seoul City |
| 16 | Park Sae-young | GK | 1.76 m | 67 | 0 | Wonderful Samcheok |
| 18 | Han Mi-seul | LB | 1.78 m | 48 | 79 | Incheon City |
| 19 | Kang Eun-hye | P | 1.86 m | 65 | 90 | SK Sugar Gliders |
| 23 | Woo Bit-na | LB | 1.72 m | 10 | 36 | Seoul City |
| 24 | Kang Kyung-min | CB | 1.65 m | 19 | 42 | SK Sugar Gliders |
| 26 | Kang Eun-seo | RB | 1.69 m | 6 | 1 | Incheon City |
| 27 | Jeon Ji-yeon | RW | 1.68 m | 5 | - | Wonderful Samcheok |
| 29 | Kim Da-young | LB | 1.70 m | 0 | - | Busan |
| 31 | Gim Bo-eun | P | 1.77 m | 32 | 68 | Wonderful Samcheok |
| 33 | Shin Jin-mi | CB | 1.67 m | 6 | 9 | Busan |
Olympic Group Stage Performance
The team competed in a challenging group stage at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. While they showed resilience, they struggled to maintain consistency against top-tier European opponents.
Match Results
- vs Germany: A hard-fought victory, winning 23–22. Key contributors included Ryu Eun-hee and Kang Kyung-min, both scoring 6 goals.
- vs Slovenia: A loss of 23–30, with Woo Bit-na leading the scoring with 7 goals.
- vs Norway: A 20–26 defeat, where Ryu Eun-hee again led the team with 6 goals.
- vs Sweden: A 21–27 loss, with Kang Kyung-min contributing 5 goals.
- vs Denmark: A final group match loss of 20–28, with Woo Bit-na scoring 5 goals.
South Korea finished the group stage in 5th place with a record of 1 win and 4 losses, scoring a total of 107 goals while conceding 133. Consequently, the team did not advance to the quarterfinals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did South Korea qualify for the Olympics?
The team qualified by winning the gold medal at the 2023 Asian Qualification Tournament held in Hiroshima, Japan.
Who is the head coach of the team?
The team is led by head coach Henrik Signell.
Who was the most experienced player on the roster?
Ryu Eun-hee is the most experienced player, with 171 appearances and 524 career goals.
What was South Korea's final rank in the group stage?
South Korea finished 5th in their group, recording one win against Germany and four losses.
Where were the Olympic handball matches played?
The matches took place at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris.