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Spectacular first half of Macedonian squad

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Qatar - Macedonia 30:34 (13:21)

Palacio de San Pablo, Seville

Macedonia take it all before clashing with the favourites. Macedonia repeated the virtues that they showed against Chile, beating Qatar and sealing the best start in their World Championships history. The Macedonians have already pocketed 4 points and now they will face the favourites of their group, Russia, Iceland and the powerful Denmark. Qatar on the other hand, must pray for a miracle so that they don't leave during the preliminary group stages. In the first half, Macedonia took control from the off. Qatar couldn't with stand the attack and by the seventh minute they were already losing 2-6. Qatar, used a mixed defence with an open 5-1 formation, this opened them up and they conceded a period of 3-8 that closed their hopes with haste (6-16, 19th minute). After half-time, with the first half ending a clear 13-21, Qatar reacted with pride, counterattacking with haste, although it wasn't enough to penetrate Borko Rostovski's goal, who was key for Macedonia.

Borut Macek (Qatar head coach)

"Today's match was very different to yesterday's against Denmark. We played very good handball, particularly in the second half".

Abdulla Ramazan (Qatar): "We could have won near the end, but their keeper was fantastic. We have improved a lot".

Zvonko Shundovski (Macedonian head coach)

"We were brave in what we did today, but we have to improve. Now we need to grow and improve".

Kiril Lazarov (Macedonia)

"We had an excellent first half, but in the second we did thing that we need to improve on. We need to defend differently. Congratulations to the Qatar coach for changing their defence. When he did we suffered a lot"

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