Slovenia defeat Qatar to earn handball worlds semifinals
Paris, 24 January - Slovenia survived a late push by Qatar to earn a 32:30 (18:15) win in the quarter-finals of the World Men's Handball Championship in Paris on Tuesday and qualify for the semifinals against hosts France. This is only the second time Slovenia made it among best four teams at world championships.
Koper
Slovenian men's handball team
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Slovenia dominated the runners-up at the previous world championship in the first half, taking five-goal leads on four occasions and wrapping up the period with a 18:15 advantage.
Slovenia's stifling defence at the beginning of the second half earned them a nine-goal advantage midway through the period, after which Slovenia relaxed and allowed Qatar to come as close as two goals in the waning moments.
Slovenia's best scorers were Gašper Marguč with six goals and Jure Dolenec with five goals, with the latter declared the best player of the match.
It is the second time Slovenia made it to semi-finals at world championships, with the first such feat coming in 2013 in Spain, when Slovenia finished fourth.
Slovenia will play in the semi-finals on Thursday against tournament hosts France, which defeated Sweden today in their quarter-finals matchup.