Experience is paramount and the French national team, whose Nikola Karabatic and Cedric Sorhaindo play club handball for FC Barcelona, are the so-called 'Experts.' This high degree of experience was France's key in beating Qatar, who boasted Valero Rivera's style and the repeatedly outstanding performances of Barça's Danjel Saric.
The game began with Karabatic, Sorhaindo and Saric all out on the floor. The three were integral to their respective teams throughout the first half as France went up 14–11 at the intermission due in part to a pair of goals from Karabatic. Saric did all he could to keep France from getting even more.
But after the break Qatar closed the gap to 18–17 in the 40th minute. Qatar managed to stay close the rest of the way but the leadership of Karabatic and Sorhaindo slammed the door shut and handed France the title.