The Peninsula
Qatar Handball Association (QHA) yesterday announced it will host the Qatar International Championship later this year that will see four nations including three continental champions in action ahead of January’s IHF World Championship 2021.
The QHA said the event, which will take place from December 25 to 29 will feature Asian champions Qatar, European champions Spain, and South American winners Argentina besides African runner-up Tunisia.
The four-team competition will give Qatar a fine tune-up for the IHF Men’s Handball World Championship - Egypt 2021 that will take place from January 13 to 31.
The teams are currently waiting for the draw of the World Championship, which will be held on September 5 at the Giza Pyramids Plateau.
A total of 30 teams have already qualified for the tournament while the two remaining teams will be decided later. It will be the first that 32 teams will compete in the IHF World Championship.
The World Championship draw is expected to announce tough, exciting and thrilling games between top teams that also include Qatar, which has become a strong side under Spanish coach Valero Rivera Lopez.
The Al Anabi qualified for the tournament after winning the Asian Men’s Championship 2020 - their fourth consecutive continental title after their triumphs in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 editions.
Qatar have made seven appearances in the World Championship, with a second place in Doha 2015 edition their best result in the event. In doing so, they became the first Asian side to play the semi-finals, and the first non-European team to qualify for the final.
Team Qatar to undergo two training camps
According to details, the Qatar team management is planning to start preparations for the World Championships from October that will involve two training camps and several practice matches besides participation in the Qatar International Championship .
One training camp will be held in Doha while the national team will also travel abroad for the other training camp.
Denmark, who defeated Norway in the 2019 final, will defend their world crown in Egypt. The 32 participating teams will be divided into eight groups of four teams, with top three teams from each group will be qualifying for the main round.