Conducted by Giampiero Masi, Chairman of the Beach Handball Working Group of the International Handball Federation, and Mr Manoel Oliveira, President of the Brazilian Handball Federation, the preliminary round groups of the Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Brazil (22 to 27 July) were drawn on Friday (9 May) in Recife, the hosting city of the World Championships.
Host Brazil will face Uruguay, Oman, Serbia, Denmark and Australia in Group A of the men’s tournament. Defending women’s World Champion Brazil will play against Italy, Chinese Taipei, Australia, Uruguay and Norway in Group A of the women’s tournament.
The result of the draw event:
Men’s Tournament:
Group A: URU, OMA, SRB, DEN, AUS, BRA
Group B: ARG, QAT, EGY, RUS,ESP, CRO
Women’s Tournament:
Group A: ITA, TPE, AUS, URU, NOR, BRA
Group B: ESP, THA, ARG, UKR, DEN, HUN
The competition system is organized in three phases. In the preliminary round, the teams will be divided into two groups of 6 teams each. The best three teams from each group will play against each other in the main round. The best four teams will then qualify for the final stage – semi-finals and medal matches.
Statements of the coaches:
Daniel Petkovic, Coach of the Serbian Men’s Team:”I am satisfied with the draw. Of course, we will have just 12 teams on the WCh and there is no such important difference in the level of the teams. It is important to start strongly from the first match. I believe that my team will be strong enough to reach the main round and to compete for the semi-finals. In Group A, Brazil is the clear favourite, and all other teams will try to be strong enough to be one of two other teams that will proceed to the main round.”
Antonio Guerra-Peixa, Coach of Brazilian Men‘s Team: “Both groups in the men’s competition are very strong and our first goal is to qualify for the main round. In the main round we have to take every game as it comes. Of course we want to be World Champions at home.”
Rossana Marques, Coach of Brazilian Women’s Team: “We have chosen the easier group in the women’s competition. We expect to win the group and then in the main round to qualify for the semi-finals and to win the World Championship at home.”
Khaled Aly, Coach of the Qatar Men’s Team: “It is a very difficult group, but the positive side is that everybody can beat everybody. I expect that the teams who will qualify for the main round will be decided in the last matches of the preliminary round.”
Boris Mensing, Coach of Australian Men’s Team: “I am satisfied with the draw. I don’t want to speculate at this stage, because I believe that all teams have a good chance to get into the main round, it will be very tough.”
Ghorm Anderson, Coach of Danish Men’s Team: “We are happy about the draw and feel like we have a good chance to reach the winners’ round! In Group A Brazil will be the favourite and Australia will have a tough time. The rest will fight for the last spots. In Group B Argentina will have a tough time. Croatia will win and the rest will fight for the last spots! I will be especially looking forward to playing my old team Oman.”
Rodrigo Cleppe, Coach of the Argentinean Men’s Team: “We are very happy to participate in our first Beach Handball World Championship. Both groups are very strong but we believe that we can gain experience and win some matches in the men’s and also the women’s group. Argentina is preparing very hard for this world event.”
Gros Janos, Coach of the Hungarian Women’s Team: “Thanks to a great quality of live streaming we saw a draw event, which was conducted in a good atmosphere. I believe that Group A is the easier group, however those who want to win have to win against all others. Therefore it doesn’t matter with whom we are in the group, we would like to win. Our team has gone through big changes, but we would like to stay among the world’s elite. We will have a hard and long preparation, because I believe it will be a difficult championship.”
John Woodman
5. July 2014. at 10:23
When and where in Recife are the games scheduled