Hosts Qatar edge Poland to sail into world men's handball championships

Kamalaldin Mallash (L bottom) of Qatar reacts as his team mates celebrate defeating Poland in their semi-final match of the 24th Men's Handball World Championship in Doha January 30, 2015. REUTERS/AK BijuRaj (QATAR - Tags: SPORT HANDBALL)

Qatar made history to become the first Asian team to reach the final of the 24th World Men's Handball Championship here at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall in Doha, on Friday.

The hosts booked a date with France in the finals to be played on Sunday at Lusail Hall after beating .
hard fighting Poland 31-29 in a closely contested semi-final encounter in front a huge home crowd. 

France defeated defending World Champions Spain  26-22 in the semis. Spain will play Poland in the third place playoffs.

En-route to the finals, the home team defeated Germany in the quarter-final, while Poland surprised Croatia. 
Before their semifinal duel, the home fans arrived at the hall two hours before the kick off dressed in white robes and their traditional maroon jerseys to witness the home side make history.

Urged on by their fans, Qatar the home team rallied to hold Poland to 11-11 tie in the 20th minute with left back, Cuban born Rafael Capote being instrumental in the home teams fight by netting five goals.

With a minute to the break, Capote, who also plays for El Jaish HB, scored his sixth of the day to enable his team take a 16-13 lead advantage to the break.

The Polish left back, Michal Jurecki also found the back of the net six times in the half to be at par with Capote.

Qatar coach Valero Rivera decided to rest Capote in the second half and brought in Kamalaldin Mallash who later impressed by scoring six goals.

 In the fourth to eighth placement matches, Denmark laboured to defeat Slovenia 36-33, while Croatia beat Germany 28-23.