ID :
355786
Fri, 01/30/2015 - 20:15
Auther :

Qatar Overcome Poland to Make Final in Unprecedented Milestone

Doha, January 30 (QNA) - Qatar's national handball team beat Poland 31-29 on Friday night to qualify for the Handball World Championship's final, becoming the first non-European side to reach that feat. The Maroon will face the winner of the other semifinal between Spain and France, which takes place later tonight, with the final taking place on Sunday. The game got off to a quick start with the score level after five minutes 3-3 before the Polish side opened a three-goal gap. The introduction of goalkeeper Danijel Saric made the difference for the Maroon and the two-minute suspension for two Polish players gave the home side an extra advantage to equalize 10-10 in the 20th minute. Saric carried on the good form as he made a save that allowed the Maroon to take the lead for the first time in the game and finish the first half with a three-goal advantage. After the break, the Qatari players took the form of the first half's closing minutes, scoring three times and conceding once to take the score to 19-14 six minutes into the second half. Saric was key in keeping the Maroon ahead making a series of crucial saves as the home side carried a three-goal lead on 26" despite a numerical disadvantage due to suspension. The Maroon opened a four-goal gap before ending the game 31-29 to become both the first Arab and non-European side to reach the World Handball Championship's final since the inception of the tournament in 1938. The man of the match award was deservedly and expectedly awarded to the Maroon goalkeeper. (QNA)

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