Olympic gold medallists Denmark and European champions Germany crashed out of the World Handball Championships at the last-16 stage yesterday.
Denmark were stunned 25-27 by Hungary while Germany lost 20-22 to Qatar, who were runners-up to France at the last tournament in 2015.
It’s the first time since 2005 that Denmark — three-time finalists but never world champions — have been dumped out of the competition before the quarter-finals.
2015 World Championship silver medallists Qatar defeat the Olympic bronze medallists and EURO champions by one to claim a place in the quarter-finals.
Qatar opened with a 5-1 defensive system with Rafael Capote pushing high in an attempt to disrupt Germany’s back court, but the ‘Bad Boys’ still netted the first goal of the match inside the opening minute with a rocket from Kai Hafner. At the other end of the court, Andreas Wolff stopped Qatar’s first attack and went on to make three saves at 50% within the first eight minutes, hinting that a difficult task lay ahead for Qatar’s shooters.
When Wolff made his fifth save just before the 10-minute mark, the European champions led 5-2, and the goalkeeper was proving his value with a 71% rate. At that point, Qatar ’keeper Danijel Saric had saved only one.
But Germany’s hold on the game began to lessen after the first 10 minutes, as Saric’s save rate picked up. Midway through the half, when coach Dagur Sigurdsson called his first time-out, it was a one-goal lead at 6-5 for Germany, and five minutes later Qatar levelled the score at 7-7 off a goal from Roine Bertrand.
It stayed a low-scoring match with only one goal in five minutes, and when Wolff made his second penalty save, his team held only a narrow lead at 8-7.
Germany just held the edge at half-time, and opened the second period with Wolff’s third penalty save out of Qatar’s four attempts. The Rio Olympic bronze medallists could not shake their opponents as the clock ticked on, however, and missed some easy chances due to Saric’s saves.
Wolff also made things difficult for Qatar, maintaining an incredible 60% after 40 minutes when Paul Drux broke through to open a two-goal gap at 13-11. Germany pulled ahead by three thanks to Kai Hafner in the 43rd, but Qatar slowly reduced the gap.
Germany reclaimed a two-goal advantage with six minutes remaining, but Qatar roared back again — and this time they did not let the opportunity slip. When the final three minutes began, the game was level at 20-20, before Capote took Qatar in front.
Hungary will face Norway tomorrow for a place in the semi-finals while Qatar will take on Slovenia. Qatar’s Cuban winger Capote scored nine goals to be named MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the match.

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