Pre-game Decision-Making by a Handball Coach -Using the qualitative and quantitative methods

Abstract

Different decision-making models are used in various areas of human life, however no area relies as much on analytical data as professional sports. The perceived opportunities and problems are the key factors that heavily influence the decision-making process itself. This especially applies to sport coaches and their ability to make proper strategy-related decision ahead of the next match their teams will face. The development of the sports industry, its importance, both at the national and global level, requires these decisions be made analytically and rationally, that is, to avoid making intuitive decisions whenever possible. One of the ways to achieve this is to utilize the SWOT method. The present research was carried out in five stages, which were supposed to determine, by means of utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, the radical and key goals of a handball team facing the next opponent. The sample of the study was a handball match between Denmark and Croatia played at the European Championship in Hungary in 2022. In the first stages of the research, the key strengths and weaknesses of both teams were determined using quantitative methods, followed by the qualitative Analytic Hierarchy Process method, which made the comparison between the teams possible viable. The obtained results were then assessed by means of the Denmark and Croatia National Team Factors Evaluation. The final results were then displayed using the Denmark-Croatia Matrix. The decision on the strategy for the upcoming match was made using the TOWS Matrix. We have come up with five identified goals, one of which, should it be fulfilled, would eventually lead the national team of Denmark to the victory. The final score, alongside with the entire analysis, have provided justification for the decision-making model used therein.