The 2026 summer of sport | “You can really express yourself through handball”
It’s summer, which means all the major sporting events are kicking off again. UvA students are also getting fully involved. What’s at stake? That’s the theme of the six-part Folia series The Summer of Sport 2026. This week, UvA student Valerie Smits (23) is at the World Handball Championship in Bordeaux with the Dutch student handball team.
Valerie, how long have you been playing handball?
“I’ve been playing handball since I was five and practically grew up on the handball court. Both my parents played handball, and so did my grandad. I was two weeks old when my parents first took me to a match.”
What’s so great about handball?
“I also played football and danced for a while, but what I love about handball is that it’s a really dynamic game. It’s so fast-paced and very creative. There are different playing styles, positions and running routes, and with fancy moves you can score the craziest goals. You can really put a lot of yourself into it. I think it’s a fantastic sport and I wouldn’t swap it for anything else.”
Sport: Handball
Course: Forensic special educational needs
Has been playing handball since: the age of 5.
Taking part in: Student World Handball Championships, Bordeaux. 20–27 June 2026
What’s the atmosphere like in Bordeaux, at the World Handball Championship?
“It’s absolutely sweltering, really unbearable, but the atmosphere is brilliant. We’re in a team with women who’ve been playing against each other all year in the national championship. It’s great fun to be playing alongside each other now.”
What’s at stake?
“Two years ago, we finished 5th at the Student World Cup in Spain. Back then, we missed out on the semi-finals by just one point. So it’s definitely a goal to reach the semi-finals this year and go for a medal. On Sunday we played our opening match against the hosts, France; it was a tough game that we narrowly lost. On Monday we beat Poland, thereby qualifying for the quarter-finals. This afternoon we’re playing against China.”
What are your chances?
“I think it’s very important that we play well together. In handball, it’s important to know what the person next to you is doing. We’ve now had three weeks to learn to play together, so that’s our biggest challenge.”
What’s your position?
“I play in the circle, amongst the opposition’s defence. It’s often called the most physical position; there’s always someone from the defence putting a hand on your shoulder or giving you a little nudge. All handball players are both defenders and attackers at the same time; my strength lies in defence.”
When would you say the World Cup has been a success for you?
“If we reach the semi-finals. But I have to be completely honest: this is my very last student tournament because I’m about to finish my master’s degree. So I think, personally, it’ll already be a success if I just really enjoy this week. It’s not my last handball match, though, because I’ve just signed for a handball club in eastern Germany, near Leipzig. Playing as a professional in the top-flight handball Bundesliga (Germany’s highest professional handball league ed.) is every top athlete’s dream. When I get home, I’ll have five days, and then I’ll be moving to Germany.”
