Qatar is only the second Asian team ever to reach the quarter-finals of the handball Worlds after South Korea in 1997; (right) Qatar coach Valero Rivera. PICTURES: Anas Khalid
By Yash Mudgal/Doha
Hosts Qatar need to master the art of overcoming the odds as they lock horns with former champions Germany in the quarterfinals of the 24th Men’s World Handball Championship at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall today.
Victory over Austria in the pre-quarterfinals and a superb show in the group matches must have rejuvenated the Asian Games champions as they are keen to see off the strong German side, which only made it to the championships via a wildcard, in order to make their maiden semifinals entry in the championship.
The 2007 world champions Germany had initially failed to qualify for this year’s tournament but were given a reprieve after the Oceania region failed to send a team.
Germany is one of just five unbeaten teams left in the competition, along with Spain, France, Croatia and Denmark, while Qatar is the last non-European team in the competition.
Guided by coach Valero Rivera, Qatar has lost only once in the championship — a close affair against defending champions Spain.
Qatar defenders would need to keep their nerves to stay unruffled till the end against Germans, who are capable of forcing their way into the rival half at an alarming pace with amazing consistency.
Germany’s 30-year-old keeper Carsten Lichtlein, who was adjudged man-of-the-match after an inspired display against Egypt in the pre-quarterfinals, will test the hosts’ attack.
However, the Germans admit that it will be difficult to beat Rivera boys in front of a huge excited crowd.
“The Qatar fans will be even louder than the Egyptian fans. I hope that we take the lead very fast so that the superiority of the other fans won’t be a decisive factor,” said German team captain Uwe Gensheimer.
Since winning the 2007 World Championship on home ground, his team never made it to world championship’s last four stage.
Qatar have already reached their main goal of finishing among the best 16 teams, their best finish at the world championships, but backed by their fans and fantastic goalkeepers Danjel Saric and Goran Stojanovic, the hosts hope to continue flying on the wings of success.
“We are all proud of what we have achieved so far. It is a tournament that will always be remembered. Now we want to go on fighting with the same hunger against Germany also,” said Qatar’s top scorer (49 goals) Zarko Markovic, who stands second in the overall scorers’ tally.
After the victory over Austria in pre-quarters, Qatar’s coach Valero Rivera said the result made him “very happy for all the people of Qatar”.
Asked which team he would prefer to face in the last eight, Germany or Egypt, Rivera said he had no preference but would concentrate on his own team.
“Qatar is doing well so far. You have to have a good team to reach the quarterfinals. I believe the chances are 50-50 and hopefully we will be the winners,” Germany’s right back Steffen Weinhold said.
Qatar is the second Asian team to reach world championships quarterfinals after South Korea (in 1997) and will be meeting Germany for the first time in an international competition.
Defending champions Spain will take on twice runners-up Denmark at Lusail, while at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena Olympic champions France will meet Slovenia and Poland will lock horns with Croatia.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
QUARTER-FINALS
At Lusail Multipurpose Hall
6:30pm: Qatar vs Germany
9pm: Denmark vs Spain
At Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena
6:30pm: Croatia vs Poland
9pm: Slovenia vs France
