Handball, one of the world’s most popular team sports, is full of exceptional athletes who have left their mark over the decades. In this context, the best male pivots in handball history stand out, whose careers are adorned with titles, records and unforgettable moments.
Open your Betano account and get up to 1,000 reais in bonuses.
Payments via PIX, live games and super odds!
Click here to open your account!
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history are!
Who are the best male pivots in handball history?
Among these iconic figures, the pivots play a crucial role, using their strength and skill to open up space in the opposition’s defense and score decisive goals;
These players are known for their stamina, game intelligence and ability to overcome physical and tactical obstacles during matches.
Each of these athletes brought something unique to the sport, whether through their unparalleled skills, dedication or ability to lead their teams to memorable victories;
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
With their impressive performances, they not only won trophies, but also inspired future generations of players and fans around the world.
Each name is synonymous with excellence and passion for the sport, reflecting the lasting impact these athletes have had on world handball.
1. Andrei Xepkin
- Titles:
- 7 EHF Champions League titles
- 6 Liga ASOBAL titles (Spain)
- World champion for the Soviet Union in 1986
- Team:
- FC Barcelona Handball
- Curiosities:
- One of the few players to win the EHF Champions League on seven occasions.
- Recognized for his ability to play in decisive moments, especially in championship finals.
- Life Story:
- Born in Ukraine, Xepkin began his career in the Soviet Union before moving to Spain, where he became a legend at FC Barcelona. His resilience and exceptional skills made him one of the most respected pivots of his era.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
2. Bertrand Gille
- Titles:
- World Champion (2001, 2009)
- European Champion (2006)
- Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
- Team:
- HSV Hamburg
- Chambéry Savoie Handball
- Curiosities:
- Voted World Player of the Year in 2002.
- Known for his physical strength and tactical intelligence.
- Life Story:
- Bertrand Gille was born in France and excelled at handball from an early age. He played most of his career in Germany, where he became one of the sport’s most feared pivots. Gille is revered as much for his skills on the court as for his leadership spirit.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
3. Igor Vori
- Titles:
- World Champion (2003)
- European Champion (2004)
- EHF Champions League winner (2013)
- Team:
- RK Zagreb
- THW Kiel
- Paris Saint-Germain Handball
- Curiosities:
- Voted World Player of the Year in 2009.
- Igor Vori was one of the pillars of the Croatian national team during its golden era.
- Life Story:
- Born in Croatia, Vori began his career at RK Zagreb and quickly became a central figure in the national team. His outstanding performance and leadership led him to be recognized globally as one of the best pivots in the history of handball.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
4. Magnus Wislander
- Titles:
- 2 times World Champion (1990, 1999)
- 4 times European Champion (1994, 1998, 2000, 2002)
- Olympic Silver Medal (1992, 1996, 2000)
- Team:
- Redbergslids IK
- THW Kiel
- Curiosities:
- Voted the Best Player of the Century by the IHF.
- He’s known for his versatility, playing both as a pivot and as a central midfielder.
- Life Story:
- Magnus Wislander is a living legend of Swedish handball. With a career spanning more than two decades, he is one of the sport’s most awarded and respected players and has left an indelible legacy on both the national and international stage.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
5. Didier Dinart
- Titles:
- 4 times World Champion (2001, 2009, 2011, 2017)
- 3 times European Champion (2006, 2010, 2014)
- Olympic Gold Medal (2008, 2012)
- Team:
- Montpellier Handball
- BM Ciudad Real
- Paris Saint-Germain Handball
- Curiosities:
- Considered one of the best defenders in the history of handball.
- After retiring, he became a coach, leading the French national team to several victories.
- Life Story:
- Born in France, Dinart had a brilliant career both as a player and a coach. His exceptional defensive skills and natural leadership made him one of the pillars of the French national team during their successful campaigns.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
6. Sławomir Szmal
- Titles:
- World Champion (2007)
- European Champion (2007)
- Winner of the EHF Champions League (2016)
- Team:
- Vive Kielce
- Rhein-Neckar Löwen
- Curiosities:
- Voted World Player of the Year in 2009.
- Known for his spectacular saves and quick reflexes.
- Life Story:
- Szmal, a native of Poland, is widely recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he also had a significant impact as a pivot during his early career. His talent and dedication have made him an icon in Polish handball.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
7. Olafur Stefansson
- Titles:
- EHF Champions League winner (2002, 2004, 2008)
- Bundesliga champion (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- Team:
- SC Magdeburg
- Rhein-Neckar Löwen
- AG København
- Curiosities:
- Recognized for his powerful shot and ability at crucial moments.
- One of the few Icelanders to achieve international fame in handball.
- Life Story:
- Born in Iceland, Stefansson is known for his longevity and consistency in sport. He was one of the leaders of the Icelandic national team and played for some of Europe’s top clubs, leaving an indelible mark wherever he went.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
8. Rasmus Lauge Schmidt
- Titles:
- World Champion (2019)
- European Champion (2012)
- EHF Champions League winner (2020)
- Team:
- THW Kiel
- SG Flensburg-Handewitt
- Veszprém KC
- Curiosities:
- Known for his versatility and ability at both ends of the court.
- Rasmus is one of the leading names in the new generation of Danish handball.
- Life Story:
- Lauge, a native of Denmark, quickly stood out as one of the best players of his generation. With both defensive and offensive skills, he has established himself as a key pivot in his teams and in the national team.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
9. Cedric Sorhaindo
- Titles:
- World Champion (2009, 2011, 2015, 2017)
- European Champion (2010, 2014)
- Olympic Gold Medal (2012)
- Team:
- FC Barcelona Handbol
- Paris Handball
- Curiosities:
- Known for his physical strength and ability to score in high-pressure situations.
- Sorhaindo has been a key cog in the French defense and in the clubs he has played for.
- Life Story:
- Sorhaindo, born in France, is a central figure in the French national team, helping the team win multiple international titles. His dominant presence on the court and leadership are widely recognized.
Read to the end and find out who the best male pivots in handball history!
10. Julen Aguinagalde
- Titles:
- EHF Champions League winner (2016)
- European Champion (2018)
- World Champion (2013)
- Team:
- BM Ciudad Real
- Vive Kielce
- Curiosities:
- Voted Best Player in the Spanish League several times.
- Known for his accuracy and physical endurance.
- Life Story:
- Born in Spain, Aguinagalde is considered one of the best pivots of his generation. His ability at crucial moments and consistency over the years have made him a key player for both his national team and the clubs he has played for.
List of the 10 best male pivots in handball history:
- Andrei Xepkin
- Bertrand Gille
- Igor Vori
- Magnus Wislander
- Didier Dinart
- Sławomir Szmal
- Olafur Stefansson
- Rasmus Lauge Schmidt
- Cedric Sorhaindo
- Julen Aguinagalde
Did you like getting to know the best male pivots in handball history?
The pivots mentioned in this list represent the excellence and evolution of handball over the decades;
Their contributions were essential not only to their teams’ victories, but also to the popularization and technical development of the sport;
Each of these players brought something unique, whether through their technical ability, physical strength or leadership, shaping the handball we know today.
For anyone who loves handball or wants to learn more about this fascinating sport, exploring the stories and achievements of these incredible athletes is essential;
Keep following our website for more exciting and informative content about the world of handball and its protagonists.
- The 15 best goalkeepers in handball history
- The 10 best Brazilian left wingers in the history of handball
- The 10 best left wings in the history of handball
