DOHA (Reuters) - Qatar became the first non-European handball nation to reach a world championship final after a 31-29 win over Poland in a pulsating semi-final sent them into Sunday's showpiece against either holders Spain or France.
Driven by a fervent 15,000 home crowd and by eight players given Qataris citizenship in the build-up to the tournament, the host nation continued their remarkable run on the back of yet another magnificent performance by Bosnian-born goalkeeper Danijel Saric.
The 37-year old, who won four Spanish league titles and the 2011 Champions League with Barcelona, was declared man of the match with 12 saves after coming on midway through the first half for former Montenegrin Goran Stojanovic.
Right back Zarko Markovic, the team's top scorer in the tournament with 60 goals in eight matches and like Saric a native Bosnian, was again instrumental with five second-half goals after Cuban-born Rafael Capote netted six in the opening period.
Qatar's own Kamaladin Mallash also stood out with five goals and the home side danced in delight in the Lusail Arena after the final whistle while Poland, whose left back Michal Jurecki scored a game-high nine goals, were left ruing a missed opportunity to reach the final.
Spain and France meet in the other semi-final (1800 GMT).