GB Men Set for Brazil Series

GREAT Britain Men take on Brazil in the first of three friendly fixtures in Sao Paolo this afternoon (1530 GMT).

As part of their plan to gain experience of a wide variety of handball styles, GB are in Brazil for an eight-day training camp, and Assistant Coach Bill Baillie said: “The plan this year is to test ourselves against Asian and Pan-American teams, so going to Brazil will be very good for us.”

Following Sunday’s match, GB will play Brazil again on June 7 and June 9 (midnight GMT each time), giving them plenty of chance to try different formations and learn from the experience.

Head Coach Dragan Djukic has virtually a full squad to pick from, and Baillie added: “We’re injury free at the moment, with perhaps just one or two little niggles, but nothing serious.”

New captain Bob White is in Brazil and is back in action following recovery from hip surgery earlier this year, and Baillie added: “Bob White may see some action later in the week. The main focus is more on Nick Satchwell and Jesper Parker, but Bob will definitely play at some point.”

For their part, Brazil are just embarking on a new development programme for their handball side, and are working with a core group of new players rather like GB were a few years ago.

Following their matches against Great Britain, Brazil are also hosting Denmark, Norway and Portugal as they prepare for the Pan American Games in October.

Reports suggest they have three or four injuries in their squad, with those players unlikely to see action against GB as they try to recover in time for Denmark later this month.