ANOC World Beach Games Team Sports Official Draw takes place in Doha

The official team sports draw for the Beach Soccer and Beach Handball competitions at the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 took place in Doha today, with 24 soccer and 24 handball male and female teams drawn into ten different groups.

The official draw took place at the headquarters of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and was broadcast live on national broadcaster, Al Kass, as well as live streamed on the ANOC website. Vice President of the Qatar 2019 Organisng Committee and QOC Secretary General HE Jassim Rashid Al Buenain and ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg opened the draw with welcome remarks before the draw got underway.

HE Jassim Rashid Al Buenain said:

"It is a pleasure to welcome you to Doha, the capital of our sports loving nation of Doha. On behalf of His Excellency the president of the QOC, as well as all of the Organising Committee, I would like to express our gratitude to ANOC for their trust in selecting us to host the inaugural edition of their elite games. This team sports draw represents another major milestone in the lead up to the Games. This is adding to the excitement that has grown since last June when we signed the host city contract. We wish the participating teams the best of luck and we look forward to welcoming you and all the world’s athletes in October."

ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg added:

"I would like to express our gratitude to the government of Qatar and the Qatar NOC for their enthusiasm and commitment to hosting an unforgettable ANOC World Beach Games. Today we will find out which of the world’s best beach soccer teams and beach handball teams will face each other at the ANOC World Beach Games. We are delighted to be joined by representatives from Beach Soccer Worldwide and the International Handball Federation for this draw. We thank them and all participating International Federations for their excellent cooperation and partnership. With their support and the support of the NOCs and all stakeholders in Qatar we have no doubt that the first ever ANOC World Beach Games will be a great success."

Sasa Kuburovic, member of the International Handball Federation (IHF) Beach Handball Working Group, led the draw for Beach Handball. Separate draws for the male and female category were held with a total of 12 male and 12 female teams drawn into two groups. The 24 teams qualified for the Games based on results from the last Beach Handball World Championships and Continental Championships.

Men

Group A

Brazil

Sweden

Denmark

Oman

USA

Australia

Group B

Croatia

Hungary

Spain

Qatar

Uruguay

Tunisia

Women

Group A

Brazil

Denmark

Hungary

Argentina

USA

Tunisia

Group B

Greece

Spain

Poland

China

Australia

Vietnam

President of Beach Soccer Worldwide Juan Cusco began the draw for Beach Soccer by thanking ANOC for showcasing beach, water and action sports through the ANOC World Beach Games and the QOC for their excellent preparations for the Games. Josep Ponset, Beach Soccer Technical Delegate then led the draw. A total of 16 men’s teams were split into four pots through seeding and the drawing of lots and were drawn into four groups, while eight women’s teams were split into two pots and drawn into two groups.

Group A

Brazil

Switzerland

UAE

Morocco

Group B

Italy

Spain

Mexico

Solomon Islands

Group C

Iran

Paraguay

Senegal

Ukraine

Group D

Russia

Japan

Uruguay

El Salvador

Women

Group A

Spain

Brazil

Cape Verde

Mexico

Group B

Great Britain

Russia

USA

Paraguay

—ENDS—

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