Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Qatar’s Al Sadd and Eljaish have been drawn together in Group A at the International Handball Federataion (IHF) Super Globe to be held in Doha next month, while Asian championship-winning side Al Rayyan are in Group B.
The draw was held at the Zetra Sport Hall in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, yesterday and was conducted by Leon Kalin, President of the IHF Commission of Organising and Competition, and Mohammed Jaber Al Mulla, General Secretary of the Qatar Handball Association.
While Al Sadd qualified as tournament hosts, Eljaish are the wild-card side from the host nation.
European champions HSV Hamburg, from Germany, and Oceania winners Sydney University, from Australia, complete the group.
African winners Etoile Sportive du Sahel, from Tunisia, Brazil’s Taubate (South American champions) and European runners-up Barcelona Intersport are the other sides in Group B.
Reigning Super Globe champions Atletico Madrid, from Spain, was disbanded earlier this month. Barcelona were then invited to replace them.
Kalin felt Atletico’s absence would not affect the quality of the tournament in any way.
“What happened to Atletico was unfortunate, but there wasn’t anything we could do about it. But Barcelona are one of the most decorated sides in Europe. I think the competition in Doha is going to be really exciting,” he said.
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