Press releases

MINSK, 12 January (BelTA) – At the forthcoming Men’s World Handball Championship in Qatar the Belarusian team will do their best to earn a spot for the 2016 Olympics, coach Yuri Shevtsov said at a special meeting in the National Olympic Committee on 12 January, BelTA has learned.

According to the coach, the Belarusian national team worked hard to fulfill all the preset tasks. There were no problems with the preparation for the world championship thanks to the efforts of the Sport and Tourism Ministry, the Belarusian Handball Federation and sponsors, Yuri Shevtsov said. The Belarusian handball has been working hard for the last five years to get a berth at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The team needs to win the world championship in Qatar to get it. The world’s top eight teams get an opportunity to partake in the Olympic qualification. “Although it is pretty hard to do, the team will do its level best to reach the goal,” captain of the Belarusian national team Sergei Rutenko said.

Chairman of the Belarusian Handball Federation Vladimir Konoplev wished the handball players every success and great victories. According to Sport and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko, the Belarusian handball team is known for its fighting spirit and friendly atmosphere, which should help fulfill the outlined task. First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee Maksim Ryzhenkov presented honorary diplomas and valuable presents to the coaches that trained the members of the current national team, and expressed hope for a successful performance of the team in Qatar.

Yellow Cup in Winterthur, Switzerland, that took place in early January 2015 was the last tournament ahead of the forthcoming championship in Qatar. Belarus finished fourth losing to Tunisia (30-34), Switzerland (25-26), and Slovakia (29-34). Despite the defeats, the team has been gradually gearing up for the main start of the season.

The Belarusian team will leave for Qatar on 14 January.

The 24^th Men’s World Handball Championship will open in Lusail with a match between Qatar and Brazil at the arena that accommodates 15,300 fans. Belarus (Group A) will open the championship against reigning world champion Spain in Doha on 16 January. Belarus will take on Slovenia on 17 January, face Brazil on 19 January, Chile on 21 January and Qatar on 23 January. All the matches of the Belarusian team will be broadcast live (Belarus 5 TV Channel).

Group B includes Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Iran, Austria and Tunisia. Group C features France, the Czech Republic, Algeria, Sweden, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Group D will include Denmark, Poland, Russia, Argentina, Bahrain and Germany.

Four best teams from each group will advance into the playoff. The champion and medalists of the 2015 World Handball Championship will be named on 1 February 2015.

Belarus has taken part in the competitions of the world’s 24 best teams twice before. In 1995 the Belarusian team led by Spartak Mironovich finished 9^th in Iceland. Yuri Shevtsov’s men were 15^th in Spain in 2013.