Olympic Handball -- a family affair

(BEIJING, August 7) -- At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Handball competition, five teams will have siblings representing their nations when competition starts.

Brothers Marcin and Krzysztof Lijewski of Poland, who played together in the 2007 world championships and 2008 European championships, will line up together.

"It's something very special for us, but more so for our parents. My father is very proud, as he used to be a Handball player as well," said Krzysztof Lijewski.

Tournament contenders France will also have two brothers lining up with Bertrand and Guillaume Gille competing in their third straight Olympic Games.

"We have been playing together for 12 years. It's a big thing to play together, especially at the Olympics," said Bertrand Gille.

Like the Lijewski brothers, the French brothers credit much of their success to their father.

"He (their father) has been an influence forever. He is a coach so we train together," said Bertrand Gille.

Brothers Raul and Alberto Entrerrios will line up for Spain with Alberto competing in his second Games and younger brother Raul making his Olympic debut.

In the women's competition, there are two sets of siblings playing.

The Angolan team, who gained entry into this year's Olympics after winning their sixth straight African crown, will see sisters Luisa Kiala and Natalie Maria Bernardo competing together for the first time in an Olympic Games.

And Handball favorites Norway have twin sisters Kristine Lunde and Katrine Lunde Haraldsen on their roster.