World Handball Championship 2015 Final: Qatar vs. France Score and Reaction

France broke the hearts of host nation Qatar to win the final of the World Handball Championship by a score of 25-22.

The tournament's official Twitter account highlighted the final result:

Qatar were hoping to become the first team from outside Europe to win this coveted award, but from the off, it always looked as though this classy French side was a little too strong. For the Europeans, it was the fifth time in their history that they have won this competition.

Here’s a look back at how the action played out in the showpiece encounter at the Lusail Arena.

Flawless French Seize 5th World Crown

Osama Faisal/Associated Press

There’s been plenty of chatter about the host nation in the build-up to this final. In qualifying for the final two—the first non-European nation to do so—Qatar had already made history, but the amount of players born outside of the country have led some to criticise Valero Rivera Lopez's side.

Spanish-born Qatar star Borja Vidal told Agence France-Presse (h/t Sky Sports) that it’s not something that really bothers him:

"

When I play, I feel like a handball player. How do I feel about representing Qatar?

You know it is a very big responsibility to represent one country. I feel very good in this country and this nationality.

"

Despite being outnumbered by a raucous home crowd, the French supporters in attendance were making quite a din, per the tournament’s official Twitter account:

Buoyed by that support, it was the French—overwhelming favourites coming to this final—that began the better of the two. They were a lot slicker in their passing, and when the opportunities arose, they were clinical in getting past Qatar’s impressive goalkeeper, Danijel Saric.

Osama Faisal/Associated Press

They established a substantial buffer midway through the first period, but as noted here by handball correspondent Tom O'Brannagain, the Europeans’ dominance should have seen them much further in front:

"

At this level of superiority #France should be further ahead. Beware. #Qatar can only improve. #QATFRA

— Tom Ó Brannagáin (@obrannt) February 1, 2015"

At the end of the half, the hosts began to establish a foothold and fought back into contention. Two late scores at the end of the first period moved the score on to 14-11 in France's favour, and a stunning save from Saric in the final seconds of the half ensured that the momentum was well and true with Qatar ahead of the second period.

Here’s a look at the numbers from the first half, per beIN Sports:

The initiative accrued by Qatar before the break was on showed in earnest at the beginning of the first period when they managed to bag a couple of quick-fire goals within the first 90 seconds of play and reduce the gap to one.

Osama Faisal/Associated Press

It certainly seemed as though the half-time team talk from Rivera was working despite the problems he has to face with a multinational crop of players at his disposal, per communications professional Bassel Barakat:

The match settled into a pattern after that initial flurry, and once again, the French looked to take control. They kept the scoreboard ticking over throughout the second period, and on the occasions Qatar breached their defensive line, France's famous goalkeeper, Thierry Omeyer, was at hand to thwart plenty of strikes at goal.

As noted by O'Brannagain, the Europeans were just a little bit more clinical throughout:

"

That's #FRA in a nutshell. Open goal for right wing of #QAT to make it a one goal game. He misses France score and that's why they win.

— Tom Ó Brannagáin (@obrannt) February 1, 2015"

While the match occasionally got tight in the latter stages, the French always looked as though they had something in reserve, and the three-point buffer come the final whistle was a suitable indication of the edge they had.

Winning against Qatar on their own patch and with a fervent set of supporters backing them will make this triumph extra sweet for the French. Throughout the tournament, they've played with panache and purpose, meaning that they're thoroughly deserving of a landmark fifth title.