Country: Qatar

Coach: Thabet Mahfoudh

Key Players: Ahmed Elahmar (Right Back), Roine Bertrand (Left Back), Eslam Eissa (Centre Back)

Road to Qualification: Winners of the 2016 Asian Club League Handball Championship

History in Tournament: 1997-2015: DNP 

Overview: 

Lekhwiya Sport Club’s handball team was only formed in 2012, after the Qatar Handball Association’s decision of increasing the number of participating teams in the first division of their domestic league. What they did not expect was that “The Red Knights” – as they are nicknamed – would win the 2012-2013 title in their first participation.

Making history seems to be part of the DNA of the young sports club. They reaffirmed that in March this year, when they became champions of the 2016 Asian Club League Handball Championship – after being the runners-up of the previous edition. 

Guided by the Tunisian-born coach Thabet Mahfoudh, they will make their debut at the IHF Super Globe when they face the reigning champions Fuchse Berlin on September 5 at 17PM (QAT time). The Qatari team was reinforced with important players such as Ahmed Elahmar. The 32-year old skilled right back scored 27 goals at the Rio 2016 Olympics representing Egypt. Two other players of the African team will wear Lekhwiya’s colours in Doha:  Eslam Eissa and Mohamed Ibrahim Ramadan. The 28-year old centre back Eissa can easily become a key player if he performs as he did in Rio, when he accumulated 17 goals. While Ramadan may not be as outstanding but can contribute his experience as a line player – he scored 5 goals at the last Olympic Games. 

A good part of Lekhwiya’s results at the Super Globe will depend on the level of their brilliant left back Bertrand Roine. The 35-year old French-born player was a silver medallist with Qatar at the 2015 IHF Men’s World Championship and finished the last Olympic competition with 11 goals.

In preparation for the main international club handball competition, Lekhwiya had a one-week training camp in Slovenia by the end of August. 

Official Website/Social Media:

Follow Lekhwiya Sports Club on their website, on Facebook and Twitter.

IHF Social Media:

Follow the 2016 IHF Super Globe on our website, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.