Efficiency of the goalkeepers in the women’s World Handball Championship in Germany 2017

Abstract The performance of goalkeepers can predict the final ranking of teams in tournaments. The aim of the study was to examine the percentages of goalkeepers of different national teams, according to the position on the field from which the pitch was taken, the location of the pitch in the goal and the ranking of the game. To this end, a documentary study based on the data collected by the International Handball Federation was carried out with 24 national teams that took part in the last absolute handball world championship (Germany 2017). The sample consisted of 7606 pitches made in 83 matches. The results showed that the highest percentage of saves was obtained with shots taken from the 9 meters and to the central and middle zone of the goal, and the lowest with throws in fast-breaks and to the lower and lateral areas of the goal. There were no significant differences in the variables analyzed according to the game ranking, except in pitching zone 1.