Finnish handball from perspective of ambitious Swedish coach Henrik Signell

Henrik Signell is born 1976, and he is currently head coach of women’s team IK Sävehof, the best team of Swedish women’s elitserien.
As a player Henrik played 8 seasons in IK Sävehof and 2 seasons for Alingsås HK. He has played also in several age selections of Swedish national team: for A men’s selection, then 48 games for U21 and 32 games for U18.


In period between 2010-2012 Henrik was assistant coach of Finnish women’s national team.
This is why we wanted to hear his impressions and thoughts about handball in Finland, and comparison of handball level in Sweden and in Finland.

◾Henrik, since when you are a head coach of women’s team IK Sävehof?  -This is my second year.

◾What was your first impression about handball level when you came for the first time to Finland? – I have to be honest and say that the level is far below the Swedish, but there is a lot of talented players. Still you can clearly see that the players even in the national team have got wrong kind of training previously, because they missed individual technique skills, and that was obvious  in many different ways.

◾What do you think is the main reason for handball not being as popular in Finland as it is in all other neighbor countries? – There are in my opinion a couple of reasons, but I think the biggest reason is a culture. And probably lack of  new, young players who would start to play handball. This is something what should be the main goal of handball federation and all teams.

◾What is the biggest difference of handball level in Sweden and in Finland? – In Sweden we know how important it is to educate and teach players in young age and do it gradually step by step. And of course to educate and have good coaches in different ages. For example when you have a youth team with kids who are 10 years old,  you should train them and act in a long term. It´s not important to have a good team in that age at all. Your job as a coach is to “create” good players for the future. Then you are a good coach. Measure of a quality of a good coach is not to put focus on winning some tournament or cup, but to create a high quality player starting from early selection.

◾What would be your “tips” for handball nation in Finland to make this sport bigger in this country? – Start to develop young players and to do it step by step. To continue to educate good coaches and to engage more in visiting the schools and to talk about handball more in schools; to make competitions between the schools. This will increase interest in handball, doubtless.



Thank you, !!