2021 World Men’s Handball Championship: Croatia wins group after beating Qatar
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia ahead of the Qatar match, Borg El Arab Sports Hall, Alexandria, Egypt, 19.01.2021 (Photo Credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
ALEXANDRIA, 19 January 2021 – Croatia has beaten Qatar 26-24 on Tuesday to win Group C at the 2021 World Men’s Handball Championship in Egypt.
Today’s win at the Borg El Arab Sports Hall in Alexandria, together with victory over Angola on Sunday and Friday’s draw against Japan was enough for Croatia win the group and advance through to the main round.
Croatia finished Group C top with 5 points, one ahead of Qatar on 4 points and will carry 3 points over to the main round.
If there are no surprises in Group D, Croatia will likely open their main round fixtures against Bahrain on Thursday, followed by matches against Argentina and Denmark.
Marin Šego, who returned to the Croatian goal for the first time this tournament, was in great form saving three 7-metre penalties in the first half today to help his team to a 13-11 lead at halftime.
Marin SEGO (55), Mahmoud HASSABALLA (86) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt, Croatia vs Qatar, Borg El Arab Sports Hall, Alexandria, Egypt, 19.01.2021 (Photo Credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
Luka SEBETIC (31), Frankis MARZO (10), Zeljko MUSA (28), Marko MAMIC (30) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt, Croatia vs Qatar, Borg El Arab Sports Hall, Alexandria, Egypt, 19.01.2021 (Photo Credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
Goals to Marko Mamić, Marino Marić, Ivan Čupić, Željko Musa, Zlatko Horvat and captain Domagoj Duvnjak kept Croatia’s lead in tact in the second half.
Domagoj DUVNJAK (5) (Photo Credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
Qatar got within one goal in the second half but the Croatian defence, and Šego in goal stepped up when it mattered the most to carry Croatia home.
Ahmad MADADI (7), Ivan CUPIC (27), Yassine SAMI (37), Marino MARIC (3) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt (Photo Credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
Marino Marić was named player of the match.
