New goal line technology in use at the VELUX EHF FINAL4

A new goal line technology system, which was already successfully tested by the European Handball Federation at the EHF Cup Finals in Nantes in May, will also be in use at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne.

The system developed by the Handvision Association, in collaboration with the French Handball Federation (FFHB), uses a special wide-angle camera fixed to the crossbar to give a complete picture of the goal line.

At the request of the referees it will now be possible for decisions on the awarding of goal to be checked on a video replay - and to answer the question as to whether the whole of the ball has crossed the line. A technician sits courtside during the match and offers the referees the opportunity to ask for the replay in slow motion.

Fans following the game in the arena will not have to wait long for the decision, if the referees ask for assistance from the goal line technology, the game will be halted and the referees will watch the video reply provided to them by technicians next to the timekeepers table.

The system is designed to provide the referees with more complete information in certain goal line situations, the final decision on the awarding of the goal remains with the referees. Video replays will not be used for any other match situation by the referees.

The system has been successfully tested at international matches in France, including the women’s cup final in France and the Coupe de France in Bercy, Paris on 25 May.

According to Armin Steiger, developer of the system, the video evidence is there to assist the referee, and ultimately it is the referee, who has to decide whether the ball has indeed crossed the line.

“The French federation has been testing the system, and not just with goal line video replay, but also additional cameras, which with the assistance of a third referee, help the on-court referees to make the correct decisions,” he said.