Table 1

Description of player characteristics, technical and penalties variables used in the analysis

Player characteristics
Time playedThe cumulative individual time played by each player during the competition.
AgeThe chronological age of each player.
International matches playedThe number of international matches played by each player in his career.
Player positionAccording to the IHF database each player has a common position in the team formation: wing back, line and goalkeeper.
Shot variables
 Shots attemptedThe overall count of all the shots attempted.
 6 m shotsThe total number of attempted throws by each player from the 6 m line.
 7 m shotsThe total number of shots by each player from the 7 m line (penalty kicks).
 9 m shotsThe total count of all attempted throws by each player from the 9 m line.
 Wing shotsAll the attempted shots from the wing positions.
 Breakthrough shotsAll shots attempted by an attacking player after making a breakthrough action (individual attempt to penetrate the defence line).
 Fast-break shotsThe total number of shots coming after a counter attack strategy (team attempts to move the ball up court and into scoring position as quickly as possible).
Offensive variables
 AssistsThe number of assists to prepare a shot for a partner (last pass before a partner is in position to shoot and actually makes a shot attempt).
 TurnoversThe number of action that a player performs in order to lead a counter attack.
 Defensive variables
 Blocked shotsThe number of actions which succeeded effectively to block opponent’s shot.
 StealsThe number of steals that a player performs in order to get the ball back from the opponent.
Penalties variables
 2 min suspensionsThe cumulative number of 2 min suspensions recorded by each player during the competition (one player is only permitted a maximum of two 2 min suspensions; at the third time, they will be shown the red card and leave the game).
 Yellow cardsThe total number of yellow cards of each player during the competition (a player can get only one yellow card warning by match).
 Red cardsThe count of red cards received by each player during the competition (a red card results in an exclusion from the game).