Elgin, IL, May 8th-10th: Los Angeles Team Handball Club sent two teams to the 2009 United States Club National Championships. Out of the 20 men's teams that competed from all over the country, LATHC 1 finished 4th and LATHC 2 finished 17th. The tournament is the largest competition in the United States with the winner recognized as the National Champion. This year's tournament was well run, had good venues, excellent website updates and a magnificient playing floor.

LATHC 1 started out the tournament with a hard fought win over Knight Air and followed up the performance with a victory of Carolina Blue to reach the final 8. The final 8 were broken into 2 pools of 4. In pool play, LATHC 1 defeated Army and then ATH United. The third game in pool play against the Houston Firehawks faced two undefeated teams with the winner to play in the championship game on Sunday. Houston came out strong opening a 3 goal halftime lead. LATHC fought back and opened up a 5 goal lead with 8 minutes to play. Houston battled all the way back and tied the game 24-24 with 3 seconds left. Because the games were in pool play, the rules dictated that the teams could not play an overtime period or shootout to determine the championship participant on the court, but rather goal differential would be the deciding factor. With the tie, Houston advanced to the championship game and LATHC played in the bronze medal game where they were defeated by the NYAC.

LATHC 2 started the tournament with a tough loss against Chicago Inter Blue. In the play back round, LATHC fell one goal shy of advancing back into the main draw with a loss to Seattle. In the consolation bracket, LATHC 2 earned two victories against Minnesota and Polish Folklore.

LATHC congratulates the New York Team Handball Club for their victory in the championship game. They showed the heart of a champion by battling back from a 9 goal second half deficit to win in overtime. LATHC also congratulates the Houston Firehawks for an incredible pool play game and championship game. Houston proved they were a team to be reckoned with by opening a 9 goal second half lead and may have been one red card away from winning the championship.

For complete results visit www.usateamhandball.org