Qatar’s Kamalaldin Mallash reacts during Qatar 2015 24th Men’s Handball World Championship quarterfinal between Qatar and Germany at Lusail Multipurpose Hall.

By Sports Reporter/Doha

The hosts of the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship, Qatar, wrote a new chapter in handball history by reaching the semi-final stage in Doha. However, the first ever Asian team who will fight for the medal on the major handball event, doesn’t plan to end their dream before the final match. After all no one expected them to progress so far into the tournament and now that they have shown the world what they are capable of, whatever happens from here on is only icing on the cake.
One of the most important members of the Qatari team, the real future of the Valero Rivera’s squad, playmaker Kamalaldin Mallash believes that they still have a lot of energy for their semi-final clash against Poland today.

How do you feel after this amazing achievement?
Kamalaldin Mallash:
The past few days are like a dream. We aren’t ready to wake up just yet at least not before Monday. We have prepared hard for this tournament. We spent together last six months practicing all the time. Now, we are in the semi-final of the World Championship. I hope that we won’t stop here. The match against Germany showed our top form.

Did you expect to go so far at Qatar 2015?
KM:
Actually, almost all the teams are on the same level. The situation in world handball isn’t like what it used to be like in the past, when you had only 5-6 dominant teams who could fight for medals.

It looks like you play without pressure. That wasn’t the case at the start of the tournament when you played against Brazil, right?
KM:
Yes, we had problem in the opening match. The start was stressful, but it got easier and easier in every match. Now, we are flying and feel like nothing can stop us. The team spirit is fantastic. We have become really close friends.

How do you see your next rival – Poland?
KM:
To be honest, I don’t know too much about them. But I am sure that our coach will prepare everything we need to know. We are in good shape and also playing in front of home crowd, so my only aim is to win that match.

What do you think of Valero Rivera as a coach? Is he one of the greatest handball coaches of all the time?
KM:
He is like a father for us. Valero is very proud on everything we have achieved in previous year.

Who is the first favourite to take gold on Sunday?
KM:
France and Spain are the best teams in the world. Of course, we are dreaming about it. Inshallah.