Ante Burger1, Nikola Foretic2, Nenad Rogulj2
1University of Split, Faculty of Health Sciences, Split, Croatia
2University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
Performance Indicators in Elite Croatian Women’s Handball: A Longitudinal Analysis
Sport Mont 2026, 24(1), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.260204
Abstract
The analysis of performance indicators in modern sport has an increasingly important impact on a better understanding of trends in sports games, including handball. The aim of this study was to determine which defensive, offensive, and transition variables influence the final team ranking between successful and less successful teams. The analysis included a total of 3,044 matches of the First Croatian Women’s Handball League (1st HRL) from 2011 to 2020, covering nine competitive seasons. Twenty seven variables describing offensive play, defensive play, transition phases, and goalkeeper performance were analyzed. Teams were classified as successful or less successful according to their final placement in the season. The results showed statistically significant differences between successful and less successful teams in the combination of the observed variables (Wilks’ Lambda =0.47; p<0.001) for the absolute variables, and for the relative variables (Wilks’ Lambda =0.50; p<0.001). Out of the 27 variables analyzed, 16 significantly differentiated the observed groups. The most important factor of success were: goalkeeper efficiency (p=0.00, F=63.46), shooting efficiency (p=0.00, F=58.35), accuracy of shots from outside positions 9 meters (p=0.00, F=43.03) and higher number of fast break attempts (p=0.00, F=24.67). The results of this study should serve as important guidelines for coaches and practitioners and contribute to the systematic development of young female handball players, with the aim of preparing future elite athletes.
Keywords
match outcome, game impact, team quality, situational efficiency, fast break
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