WHC Finals: France beat Qatar for their 5th WHC Gold

Monday, February 02, 2015

WHC Finals: France beat Qatar for their 5th WHC Gold

With tonight’s final game between Qatar and France 24^th edition of IHF World Handball Championship is over. In final game we got one big surprise, while we mark France as one of main contenders for the title nobody gives Qatar any chance to go into the finals.

To get into the final France had to battle Sweden, Iceland, Egypt, Czech Republic and Algeria in Group C. They took first place with 9 points but with not so impressive play. In eight-finals they demolish Argentina (33-20) and in quarterfinals they did the same to Slovenia (32-23). In semifinals we watch replay from Portugal (2003) and battle for 3^rd place between France and Spain. France was dominating and went to finals.

Qatar played in Group A against Spain, Slovenia, Belarus, Brazil and Chile and on surprise to everyone they won 2^nd place behind Spain but in front Belarus and Slovenia. In eight-finals they beat Austria 29-27 and in quarterfinals they kicked out Germany 26-24. In semifinals they were facing Poland and manage to kick them to play for 3^rd place with 31-29.

Qatar already manages to beat Slovenia, Germany and Poland so France didn’t give them any chances on the start. France started strong and in 6’ they already got two goals lead. France keep that lead until the middle of first half when in only 9 minutes they scored seven goals and Qatar only two, and in 23’ score was 13-7 for France. With two quick goals from Capote and one from Markovic Qatar manage to reduce goal difference, but halftime finish with 14-11 for France. Qatar open second half with two goals from first two minutes. France quickly response with two quick goals from Sorhaindo and Barachet. Qatar manages to come on -1 in 40’ and 45’ but some big technical mistakes didn’t allow them to equal the score.

Nikola Karabatic with 5 goals (5/7; 71%) was the best France scorer, he got solid backup in Daniel Narcisse (4/7; 57%) and Valentin Porte (4/8; 50%). France goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer who was brilliant in semifinals didn’t have great day, he manage to get only 9 (9/31; 29%) saves but those 9 were in key moments of the game.

In Qatar team Zarko Markovic scored 7 goals (7/16; 44%) and Rafael Capote scored 6 (6/7; 86%), their goalkeeper Danijel Saric manages to save 14 shots (14/37; 38%) but that was not enough for them to take the gold.

Best scorer in this World Handball Championship is Dragan Gajic (Slovenia) who scored 71 goals (71/93; 76%) behind him is Zarko Markovic (Qatar) with 67 goals (67/127; 53%) and Uwe Gensheimer with 52 goals (54/72; 75%). Best goalkeeper is Carsten Lichtlein (Germany) who had total 57 saves (57/152; 38%). MVP of this Championship is France goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer.

All Star Team of 24^th edition World Handball Championship looks like this: