Preview of 23rd Japan Handball League


Every team is filled with the will to get the title.

<Men's 1st Division>

The defending champion, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical who returned to 1st-place after 5 years, is full of confidence to win again. It's exciting for them that Honda's hiring superplayers from France. Main attacker Bramanis joins forces with his team mates: a long hitter Nakayama, a control tower Moriyama and the rookie Taba. They may show even more aggressive plays this season.

Stoecklin and Volle, the superstar duo who joined Honda, are expected to have lots of super plays with Honda's young attackers, Kayaba, Saito, and Sasaki. Do you remember the final game in play-off in last season? They engaged in a life-and-death battle to the sudden-death period after the 1st overtime with Wakunaga Pharmaceutical! They should also lead the league this season.

Daido Steel gets its scoring power from two Koreans, Lim and newcomer Park. All-Japan players, Sueoka, Fujii and Tomimoto will show their miracle shots. Don't forget the aggressive plays from Ichihara, Shibata, and GK Hihara. They will go to the championships with their well-balanced power of defense and offence.

Nakamura Niyaku always watches for the chance to win. Their aggressive defense helps Oh who has the best total score record, left-handed attacker Cho, and Kinami who shoots from a very high point. Things get a little anxious since their key players are injured but their potential is still top class.

Main attacker Iwamoto, who injured his knee, came back to Sanyo Fashion House. Tanaka, Watanabe and Goshima have been supporting him and they are set on being A-Class and hoe to qualify for the play-off.

The line-up of Nisshin Steel, GK Udagawa, fighter Gennai, control tower Hayashi, main attacker Sakaguchi, stays unchanged. Their place depends on the power of young members such as Mizutani, Hayashibara, Kakutani, Ito and Kusuhara.

Osaki Electric changed its name to OSAKI OSOL. They aim at winning with their wide attacks by the veterans, Shuto and Uozumi, and Ono Kazumasa as a post player.

As for Toyota Auto Body, this is its 3rd challenge to 1st division. They improve by a nutritionally balanced diet and a physical training. To add to their maneuvered plays, they get new powerful players like Shimizu and Iwamoto. We should watch their powerful plays.

 

<Women's 1st Division>

Omron's playing style that holds minimum points lost, is quite steady. Goto, Shi, Chen make a high wall for defense, and Yamaguchi can certainly save goals. As for offence, Shi, Miyamoto, and fresh power Taguchi release long shots. The big posts Goto and Chen, wings Sugihara and Hayashi have a variety of offences. They have a knack of coming out best in play-off.

Key players in Hokukoku Bank are almost the same as last season. The line-up is fighter Kamide who controls the team, the southpaw attacker Miyoko Tanaka, large-sized post Yumiko Tanaka, wing Komatsu who got Best Shoot Rate Prize last season, new attacker Nakamura and goalie tandem Okizono and Yasuda. They have steady ability, so their worst finishes were 3rd place in 7 consecutive years. They will run and run to realize their long-cherished wish, "winning the championship for the first time".

Hitachi Tochigi challenges this season with the members who have experienced carriers such as leading players Back and Okidoi and 5 others: wings duo Nakayama and new captain Isano, veteran Emi Matsumoto, Fujii and GK Konno. Takahashi who came back from her injury, Nakamura and Omote are expected to bring their ability into full play.

Southpaw Hon, who was the point getter in Izumi have moved to the team in Denmark. But instead of her, the expert Oh joins them and makes a nice combination with Lim. The newcomer trio who graduated from university, Hirose, Hashizume and Kojima bring the fresh power to the team. New captain Aoto and Fujisawa also improve their skills. They are the favorite for the championship this season.

This season, OSAKI OSOL is burning with the wish to remove itself from the stigma of B-Class. They will show a variety of attacks by center Tsushima, post Ezure, wings Funatsu and Sakugawa with point getter duo Kim and Song. They will strengthen their defense system and get the power of fast breaks.

Daiwa Bank will show the aggressive offence by veteran Takeda, left-hander Tatsumi and steady post player Fujiura with the control tower Tanaka. The debut of new comers, wing Kurachi and large-sized shooter Okada, attract notice because they both have high potential.

Though Tateyama Aluminum stood 7th place last season, their ability is equal to A-Class teams because they lost the games by only 1 or 2 points. Choi, newcomer Kojima, Rie Yamazaki, Shinya, Nakatsuka should show their lively performances. They may become the eye of a typhoon.

Chateraise comes back to 1st division again. Kumagai, Inayoshi and Michihata have played with expert players from Denmark for the last 2 years, and improved their skills. They will watch for their chances to rise to A-Class.

 

<2nd Division>

From this season, 10 teams in men's 2nd division are divided into East Division and West Division.
East Division may be led by Hokuriku Electric Power, who seeks the chance to come back, and Denso and Sankei. Toyota Motor Corporation, who has the high wall, can take the chance to win. Nippon Steel Metal Products, who comes back to JHL after leaving for 7 years, should get their first win.
Honda Motor KUMAMOTO, who gains power from youngsters and includes veteran duo, Takagi and Yayoshi who have a lot of carriers in 1st division, will lead West Division. How do the others, ARACO KYUSHU, Tokuyama, KFC and Osaka Gas, press them? That shall be a spectacle.
Final standings will be decided in the tournament by 4 teams, the winners of each Division, and the top 2, called 'wildcard', in the other 8 teams.

In women's 2nd division, focus on the matches of JUSCO and Brother who both are aiming at 1st-place. Sony Kokubu and Munekata renewed main players. They may show aggressive games from their young powers.


E-mail  :   voice@jhl.handball.jp


Return to [Handball Home Page]