By Yash Mudgal/Doha
After numerous inspections by the highest-ranked IHF representatives and following the hosting two major test events—the IHF Super Globe in September and the Asian Clubs’ League championship in November and December—Doha is indeed ready for the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship, which will get underway today at the Lusail Multipurpose Arena.
Under Spanish coach Valero Rivera, who led Spain all the way to the top of the winners’ podium in his home town of Barcelona two years ago, Qatar will take on Brazil in the opening match of the championship which will be a duel between two Spanish-born coaches, as Brazil’s head coach Jordi Ribera also comes from the famous handball school of the Iberian country.
Qatar, placed in Group A along with defending champions Spain and fourth-place holders Slovenia, are entering the field full of confidence as they had already proved their ambitions for the international stage by winning both the Asian Championship and the Asian Games handball tournament, each for the first time in 2014. The opening encounter will hold the key to the fortunes of the hosts in the championship as they are eager to pave the way to their best ever result of the hosts at a World Championships—the pre-quarterfinals spot.
The first four teams of all the four groups will qualify for the pre-quarterfinals and it’s Rivera’s goal to be among those.
“This would mean the best result ever at the World Championships for Qatar, and I am confident that we can manage it,” he said.
This is the fifth appearances for Qatar in the World Handball Championships and their best result was in Portugal (2003) when they finished 16th.
On the other hand, Brazil, who have already booked their ticket for Rio 2016 being the host country of the event, are hoping to show their improvement after reaching the pre-quarterfinals at the 2013 World Championships as the only Pan American team.
They missed advancing to the quarter-finals after a narrow defeat against Russia.
Brazil, who were runners-up to Argentina in the continental battle for this edition, have an ace marksman in Felipe Ribeiro, who has 530 goals to his name from 150 matches for the national team. Also, Santos Maik under the bar is another player to watch out. The goalkeeper has played in 185 matches for the Brazilian team and would be a big threat to the Qatari strikers.
For the hosts, their goalkeeper Sanijel Saric has the potential to change the game with his brilliant anticipation and reflexes.
The presence of Eldar Memisevic, who has played 84 matches, and Wajdi Sinen, with 221 goals to his name, can inspire the hosts and spark the victory in the first match.
Qatar’s towering pivot Borja Vidal, who stands about 190cms tall, is another exciting player to watch out. Playmaker Rafael Da Costa has the capability to fire from long range.
Belarus and Chile are the other two teams in the group. Everything but Spain taking the first place in the group will be a huge surprise.
For the second and third positions, we could see a fight between Slovenia and Belarus, though Slovenia carry a slight advantage.
The preliminary round match against his former team Spain will also be a very emotional moment for Rivera. Qatar is the fourth country outside of Europe to host a Men’s World Championship after Japan (1997), Egypt (1999) and Tunisia (2003).
The 24 teams will start in four preliminary round groups, which will be contested in three venues—the Duhail Sports Hall, Lusail Multipurpose Hall and Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena. The four best ranked from each group proceed to the pre-quarterfinals where the group winners will face the fourth-ranked teams and the second ranked will duel with the third ranked. The teams that finish in positions five and six in each group will compete in the Presidents’ Cup in the Duhail Sports Hall for ranking positions 17 to 24. The knockout stage will be completed by the quarter-final and semi-final rounds, the bronze medal match and the final—and, in contrast to the 2013 World Championship in Spain, with a placement round for positions 5 to 8.
This determination of the final ranking is of crucial importance for the road to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
While the new world champions will book a direct ticket for the Olympic handball tournament as the first team after hosts Brazil, the teams that finish in positions two through seven will qualify for the Olympic Qualification Tournaments to be played in 2016.
In addition to the world champions, the winners of the continental qualifications from Asia, Africa, Pan America and Europe will also be awarded with a direct spot to Rio 2016.
GROUP A ROUND 1 SCHEDULE
Jan 15: Qatar vs Brazil (8.30 pm)
Jan 16: Spain vs Belarus; Slovenia vs Chile
