As excitement builds for the 2024 Men’s IHF Beach Handball Global Tour: Finals in Doha, all eyes are on the host nation Qatar, which faces immense pressure to perform well on home sand this week.
The home side is tasked with overcoming formidable rivals, including the reigning world championship title holders Croatia, alongside powerhouses Brazil and Germany, all while striving to defend the championship they won in the inaugural edition last year, also hosted in Doha.
Last year’s title was clinched in front of a raucous crowd exceeding 1,300 enthusiastic local supporters, amplifying the stakes for the Qatari team. Khalifa Al Jassim, Chair of Beach Handball and Assistant Secretary General of the Qatar Handball Association, acknowledges the dual nature of home advantage: it can offer uplifting support yet impose significant pressure on his athletes.
“It is not easy task [to play at home],” he shared. “While having the support of our spectators may seem beneficial, it is vital to recognize that it also comes with the weight of expectations and pressure.”
“We are talking about playing against the best teams in Beach Handball: last year we faced Brazil in the finals, Croatia stands as the IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship champions, and Germany is consistently one of the world’s top teams, finishing a solid fourth in the last championship.”
For Al Jassim, the upcoming event signifies more than just matches; it symbolizes a chance to reaffirm Qatar’s standing in the international Beach Handball community.
“As champions and hosts, it holds substantial importance for us to once again claim victory. Defending our title motivates us to strive for excellence, as we recognize that the focus from supporters and competitors alike will be squarely on our performance,” Al Jassim explained. “The pride from qualifying fuels our determination to showcase that Qatar deserves its place on the global sports stage.”
“Since 2010, the Qatar Handball Association has been instrumental in hosting various significant events, and we view the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour: Finals as a prestigious occasion,” elaborated Al Jassim. “Last year, we conducted a modest Beach Handball tournament catering to clubs and players lacking teams, witnessing a surge of interest and enjoyment among many participants.”
Qatar’s head coach, Khaled Aly, is currently navigating a transitional phase for the men’s squad, with long-serving key players like Mohamed Zaky retiring and a limited pool of emerging talent to fill their shoes.
“It is normal,” Al Jassim commented regarding the squad’s evolution for the finals compared to their performance at the 2024 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship last June, where they finished 10th—their joint-worst ranking across seven appearances.
“Given our relatively small number of Beach Handball players, whenever an athlete retires, our focus remains on ensuring the newcomer is equally skilled or even better suited for their position.”
The team selected by Aly will undoubtedly face significant challenges in Doha, particularly from Croatian stalwarts, the reigning world champions, who pose the greatest barrier to claiming consecutive titles.
“Regardless of the opponents or venue, our singular aim remains: to secure victory,” stated Croatia captain Ivan Juric, expressing the team’s aspirations for success in Doha. “Winning the title would serve as a perfect culmination to an outstanding year for Croatian Beach Handball.”
“We were elated to learn of our qualification for the finals. It provides an excellent opportunity to extend our Beach Handball season and gauge the prowess of other teams in this off-season. Playing against elite teams one final time this year is thrilling for us – the competitiveness is fierce, but my personal goal is to secure a medal, gold preferably. Our squad is strong, and with a bit of luck, we can clinch victory.”
This year has been spectacular for Juric, as he led the Croatian team to defend their world championship title in China and also triumphed with his club team in Croatia. Additionally, he experienced success in both the Portuguese and Spanish leagues, culminating in an EHF Champions Cup victory with GRD Leça last month.
The Croatian roster comprises well-known athletes in the sport, yet coach Mladen Paradzik ensures continuity by introducing fresh talent, including Ivan Rukljac, a promising player from RK Bundek-Novi Zagreb, who is set to make his international debut.
Each of the four competing teams is familiar with one another, having squared off multiple times this year.
In May, Qatar faced Germany during Stage 1 of the tour in Brazil, where Germany secured victories in both encounters, dominating by 2-0 (17:16, 24:18) in the preliminary group and achieving a close 2-1 (16:17, 22:12, SO 7:4) win in the semi-finals. In Stage 2 held in Spain, Germany continued their strong showing by defeating Portugal 2-1 (22:24, 20:19, SO 9:6) during the preliminary round.
All four teams met during the 2024 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship in China last June. Croatia triumphed over Portugal with a clean 2-0 in the preliminary stages before eliminating both Qatar and Germany by the same score in the main round. Croatia later bested Portugal again in the semi-finals, winning 2-0 (27:24, 22:14). Germany also clashed with Portugal twice, securing a 2-0 victory in the main round but suffering a 0-2 setback in the bronze medal match. Portugal managed to defeat Qatar 2-1 in the main round, while Brazil handed Germany a 2-1 (17:15, 14:19, SO 10:8) quarter-final loss.
“We share a history with all of these teams, having contested numerous matches against them,” Juric reflected. “Our last meeting with Brazil occurred back in 2019. We’ve encountered them in the 2018 world championship final and the 2019 World Beach Games quarter-finals, both of which resulted in losses. Those experiences are not pleasant memories. Personally, I aim to avoid a third consecutive defeat against them, a sentiment undoubtedly echoed by my teammates—however, Brazil will also be vying for a medal.”
“As the hosts and title-holders, Qatar undoubtedly enters this tournament as favorites in my view. I am uncertain about Germany’s lineup, considering the finals coincide with their indoor season, but the timing should assist them in assembling a cohesive team. Observing how our slightly altered squad competes against these three top teams is bound to be intriguing.”
For further information and the competition schedule, click HERE.
About the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour
Launched at the 2022 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Greece, the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour kicked off in Gdansk, Poland, where Croatia claimed victory in the men’s tournament and Spain dominated in the women’s category.
Throughout 2023, the tour journeyed to Brazil, Tunisia, and Poland before culminating with the Finals Stage held in Doha, Qatar, in November. Qatar’s men’s team and Brazil’s women’s team emerged victorious, taking home the overall titles.
The 2024 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour commenced in May, with Stage 1 taking place in Maricá, Brazil, where the host nation secured wins in both men’s and women’s tournaments. Stage 2 unfolded in Cádiz, Spain, with the women’s tournament won by the hosts and Germany emerging victorious in the men’s competition.
**Interview with Khalifa Al Jassim, Chair of Beach Handball and Assistant Secretary General of the Qatar Handball Association**
**Interviewer**: Khalifa, the countdown has begun for the 2024 Men’s IHF Beach Handball Global Tour Finals in Doha. As a host nation, what does this event signify for Qatar?
**Khalifa Al Jassim**: This event is monumental for us. It’s not just about playing matches; it’s an opportunity to reaffirm Qatar’s standing on the global beach handball stage. As reigning champions and hosts, defending our title has profound importance—it’s our chance to showcase our commitment and love for the sport.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned the dual nature of home advantage previously. Can you elaborate on that?
**Khalifa Al Jassim**: Certainly. While the support from local spectators is uplifting, it indeed carries a significant weight of expectations. Our players feel that pressure while they also want to put on a good show for our fans. Striking the right balance will be crucial to our performance.
**Interviewer**: Facing teams like Croatia, Brazil, and Germany is no small feat. How do you prepare your team for such formidable opponents?
**Khalifa Al Jassim**: Our preparation includes not only honing our skills but also building mental resilience. These teams have proven track records and will come at us hard. We have had encounters with all these teams this year, and acknowledging their strengths while focusing on our strategies is key.
**Interviewer**: Last year, the championship was held in front of a vibrant crowd of over 1,300 fans. What impact does that atmosphere have on the players?
**Khalifa Al Jassim**: The energy from our fans is electrifying. It can elevate a player’s performance but also amp up the pressure. Our aim is to channel that energy positively, using it as motivation to perform at our best.
**Interviewer**: Transitioning your squad after the retirement of key players like Mohamed Zaky must be challenging. How is the association addressing that?
**Khalifa Al Jassim**: It’s definitely a normal phase of development. We are focused on ensuring our new players are up to par, or even better suited for the roles. It’s about fostering young talent to secure a strong future for our team.
**Interviewer**: what message do you have for the supporters and fans as the finals approach?
**Khalifa Al Jassim**: We deeply appreciate the unwavering support from our fans. Your presence and enthusiasm drive us to excel. Together, let’s make this event memorable as we strive to defend our title and place Qatar as a cornerstone in the beach handball community. Your support, as always, means the world to our team!