In a dramatic end to seven playing days in Doha, Qatar, the ISF World School Championship Handball 2018 completed with the very final match going down to the wire.

 

All semi-final and final matches were broadcast live on IHF Facebook, just like many of the previous games, so handball fans across the world were able to watch some of the very best 16 to 18-year-olds (born in 2000, 2001 and 2002) show their skills on court in the games – with the support of the Olympic Channel, half a million views were reached.

 

Double upset for Germany in the finals

The German boys team, coached by German Handball Federation Vice President and Managing Director of Füchse Berlin, Bob Hanning, were defeated in the final by the impressive Austrian side in the ‘beach handball’ shoot-out after the match finished 18:18 (10:11) after normal time – although Austria hit the post in the final seconds after turnovers from both teams as the game ended.

 

In the shoot-out, Austria’s goalkeeper, M. Constantin, saved all three of the shots he faced, and his attackers did the job the other end to take the honours to win 21:18.

 

In the girls final, Hungary successfully defended their 2016 title, easily beating Germany 30:17 (17:9).

 

Earlier on the final day, Israel had taken the boys bronze medal after beating Poland and Denmark took third place in the girls competition by beating Brazil.

 

Leading Players

The most valuable players were also announced with Tamara Pal (HUN) taking the honour for the girls and T. Matzken (GER) winning the boys award.

 

TOURNAMENT RECAP

 

Early stages, Preliminary Round

After an impressive opening ceremony and 66 games across three venues – WSCA, Al-Attiyah Sports Complex and Aspire Dome Sports Complex – the preliminary round completed with some strong performances.

 

Both defending champions looked strong in Doha early on, winning all three of their games each. In the girls competition Hungary beat Czech Republic (29:16), Serbia (35:15) and Austria (37:19), while 2016 boys champions, Turkey, defeated Belgium (31:16), Greece (30:18) and Brazil (22:19). The Polish girls team had to forfeit their matches as they could not make it to Doha.

 

Knockout begins

In the boys competition, the quarter-finals saw Austria, Poland and Germany ease to comfortable wins, while Israel were made to work hard against Turkey, eventually taking a 23:21 victory to knock the title-holders out.

 

The German girls joined their boys team in the semi-finals after beating neighbours Austria 28:20 and Hungary and Denmark both breezed past their opponents. Brazil, however, were taken all the way by Croatia, but managed to stick it out, winning 24:23.

 

So close, yet so far – last four known

Austria, who easily beat Israel (31:18) and Germany, who defeated Poland (35:30), prepared to go head-to-head for the boys championship after winning their respective semi-finals.

 

In the girls competition Germany beat Brazil to set up another duel against their neighbours, but this time it would be Hungary as the Hungarian team beat Denmark to ensure they could defend their title which they won in France two years ago.

 

Ambassadors and a cultural festival

The young teams also had the chance to meet three ISF World School Championship Handball 2018 ambassadors – Daouda Karaboue, the 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medallist, former Poland and German handball player and coach Bogdan Wenta, and Qatar national team and Al Ahli player, French-born Bertrand Roine.

 

All the teams also took part in a festival of cultural exchange as the players got to know a little bit about the host nation and the other teams in it.

 

“I've been really impressed by the level of the event, especially the two finals,” said Karaboue after the closing ceremony. “Somehow, I will remember especially the friendly atmosphere on and outside the field of play. It's important that such an event exists, linking the world of sport and education.

 

“It is crucial to perceive also this event as a tool for youth empowerment,” he continued. “It has been a real opportunity for them to open their minds about different cultures through sport which will impact their lives on the long term.”

 

“The ISF and Qatar School Sport Association achieved together a professional event thanks to the great cooperation of the IHF, the Qatar Handball Federation and the Qatar Olympic Committee,” said Abdurahman Al Muftah, ISF WSC Handball 2018 and Member of the ISF Executive Committee.

 

“In the future, we will continue to showcase the will of Qatar to host the youth of the world in a peaceful and inspiring school sport environment.”

 

For more information about the ISF, visit ISF WSC Handball Facebook, ISF Twitter and ISF Instagram. To view previous World School Handball Championships events, visit http://www.isfsports.org/handball.

 

FINAL RANKING

Boys competition

1. AUT

2. GER

3. ISR

4. POL

5. TUR

6. BRA

7. CRO

8. FRA

9. CZE

10. QAT

11. SRB

12. GRE

13. DEN

14. BEL

15. BUL

16. ROU

17. MAR

18. GEO

Girls competition

1. HUN

2. GER

3. DEN

4. BRA

5. ROU

6. CRO

7. AUT

8. SLO

9. TUR

10. GRE

11. SWE

12. CZE

13. FRA

14. SRB

15. BUL

16. GEO

17. ISR

18. BEL

 

Photos: International School Sports Federation