Qatar to defy France in WC final

DOHA, Jan 31 (AFP): It is the handball World Cup final no one predicted and brings together one of the sport's oldest powers against its newest.

On Sunday evening when pre-tournament favourites France take on hosts Qatar, it will be the unlikeliest final the sport has seen.

Whoever triumphs, history will be made.

If France win, they will be the first team to have won the World title five times; If Qatar take the gold trophy, they will be the first non-European side to do so.

France last won in 2011 and are the current European and Olympic champions.  It is their sixth appearance in a handball World Cup final.

Qatar, meanwhile, are only playing their fifth world championships, beginning in 2003 when they achieved their previous best finish of 16th.