Handball is a popular team sport that is played by millions of people around the world, but few know about its origins. The sport originated in Germany in the late 19th century, and it was first played as an outdoor game by the Danish farmers.

The first recorded game of Handball took place in Denmark in 1898, where it was played by two teams of seven players each. The sport was originally called "Indoor Football" or "Soccer on the Gymnastics Mat," and it was played on a small field with a ball that was similar in size to a soccer ball.

The game quickly spread to other countries in Europe, including Germany, where it became known as "Torball" or "Goal Ball." In 1917, the German gymnastics teacher Max Heiser developed a new set of rules for the game, which included reducing the number of players on each team to six and introducing the use of a smaller ball.

Heiser's new version of the game was called "Handball," and it quickly became popular in Germany. The first official Handball tournament was held in Berlin in 1925, and the sport was included in the program of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

During the 1930s and 1940s, Handball continued to grow in popularity, particularly in Germany and other countries in Europe. In 1946, the International Handball Federation (IHF) was founded, which helped to further promote the sport around the world.

Since then, Handball has become a popular sport in many countries, particularly in Europe, where it is played at both amateur and professional levels. It is also a popular sport at the Olympic Games, where it has been included in the program since 1972.