EFFECTS OF GAME LOCATION, TEAM QUALITY AND FINAL OUTCOME ON GAME-RELATED STATISTICS IN PROFESSIONAL HANDBALL CLOSE GAMES

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of team quality, game location and final outcome on handball performance indicators during close games. The sample consisted of 126 close games (goal differences of 1.98 +/- 1.37) from the Spanish Professional Men's Handball League (2012/13). Factor analysis identified six factors: Factor 1 - successful 6m and 7m shots and unsuccessful 6m, 7m and 9m shots; Factor 2 - successful 6m and 9m shots and unsuccessful saves from 9m shots; Factor 3 - successful and unsuccessful counter-attack shots, assists, blocks and recovered balls; Factor 4 - successful and unsuccessful saves from 7m shots; Factor 5 - successful and unsuccessful saves from counter-attack shots; Factor 6 - yellow cards and successful saves from 6m shots. A mixed linear model identified the effects of team quality, game location and game outcome on the previously identified factors. Game location effects were significant for Factor 3, with higher values for home teams. Game outcome main effects were identified for Factors 3, 5 and 6, with teams having higher values when winning. The team quality was significant for Factor 3, with higher values for superior teams. The team quality x game outcome and team quality x game location interactions were significant for Factor 3. The game location x game outcome interaction was significant for Factors 2 and 3. These findings can contribute to a better understanding of the situational variables' determinants of elite handball performances, helping the coaches to prepare the players accordingly.