Korea's Seongok Oh, center, attempts to score against Poland during the women's world championship in Dijon in December 2007
For the people of Croatia, handball is such a big deal that when U.S. President George W. Bush this year visited the Balkan nation, he chatted with the national handball coach at a state dinner. Two-time gold medalists in the men’s competition, Croatia will have to contend with Sweden and Germany in Beijing, while the women’s sport is dominated by Denmark and South Korea. (And, no, Olympic handball, which is often called “team handball” in the States, is not the same sport as “wall handball,” which is more commonly played in America. Olympic handball is akin to high-speed soccer, but only using hands.)