Happy hosts

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THE 20TH Men's World Handball Championship ended as host Germany prevailed against Poland 29:24 (17:13) in a thrilling final in front of 19,000 spectators at sold- out Kölnarena to gain the title for the third time after 1938 and 1978.

"I am tremendously proud", German head coach Heiner Brand said. "I'm proud of these fans and proud of this team."

In the match for third place, Denmark beat European champion France in the early afternoon 34:27 (21:15).

The following players were selected to the all-star team : Henning Fritz, goalkeeper, Eduard Koksharov, left wing, Michael Knudsen, pivot, Mariusz Jurasik, right wing, Nikola Karabatic, left back, Michael Kraus, centre back, Marcin Lijewski, right back.

Croatia, runner-up in the 2005 edition of the World Cup in Tunisia, finished in fifth place. Following 60 entertaining but rather one-sided minutes, Croatia overcame Russia 34:25 (18:12). The double Olympic champions in every regard were superior thanks to outstanding playmaker Ivano Balic (eight goals). Russia, triple world champions (1982, 1993 and 1997), had to be content with sixth place as in 2001. Balic was MVP of the match. Both teams earned a place in the qualifying stage for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Title holders Spain earned a trouble-free 40:36 (19:13) victory over Iceland to secure an important seventh place at the World Championship that earned them a spot in the Olympic qualifiers. With 15 minutes played, they gained the upper hand in front of 18,500 spectators at Kölnarena to keep control of the match until the final whistle was blown thanks to goalkeeper Ibanez Hombrados (16 saves).

Eighth-ranked Iceland now has to make it to next year's European Championship in Norway to book a ticket for the Olympics. They comforted themselves with the fact that left wing Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson contributed another eight goals for tournament's record score of 66.

"We are very satisfied with the organisation and the course of the tournament," International Handball Federation President Hassan Mustafa, from Egypt, said.

photo: AFP