The challenges for the FC Barcelona players at the World Championship

The 24th Men’s Handball World Championship is under way in Qatar and Barça is one of the clubs best represented in the international tournament. No fewer than 12 blaugranes are in the Middle East with their respective national sides and we take the opportunity to analyse their objectives for the championship.

Raúl Entrerríos is the captain of the Spanish national side and one of their key men going forward. Entrerríos missed the tournament in Spain in 2013, but is one of the survivors of the championship winning side of 2005.

Víctor Tomás is another key member of Manolo Cadenas’ Spain squad. Tomás is a force of nature in attack and defence and will be looking to successfully defend the title he won with the national side in Barcelona in 2013.

Viran Morros is the linchpin in centre of the Spanish defence. A reigning world champion, his defensive contribution will be vital for the current World Champions.

Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas will be playing in his first World Championship. His return to Barça after a spell on loan at Granollers and Tolosa has seen him establish himself as the number one in goal for the national side.

Nikola Karabatic is used to winning everything. The Barça full back will be looking to add a world title to his collection after the French national side were eliminated at the quarter final stage in 2013.

Cedric Sorhaindo is in a similar situation to his team mate Karabatic. However, Sorhaindo already knows what it takes to become World Champions with France after taking gold in Sweden in 2011 as a blaugrana.

Wael Jallouz is currently consolidating himself amongst the European elite after joining FC Barcelona from THW Kiel. In Qatar, the young Tunisian has the aim of helping his country improve on their achievement of reaching the last 16 two years ago in Spain.

Kiril Lazarov is the star of the Macedonian national team. His goals are the principal weapon of his country’s side and the blaugrana is their leader on the court. Similar to Jallouz, Lazarov and his team will be looking to make it to the quarter finals at least to improve on their performance last time out.

Siarhei Rutenka is the heart and soul of the Belarus national team. His versatility in attack and his contribution in terms of goals make him his country’s biggest threat. Accompanied by his brother Dzianis, Rutenka will also be aiming for the last 8 at the very least.

Danjel Saric returns to international competition with Qatar after having played for Serbia in the 2006 European Championships. With national coach Valero Rivera, a former FC Barcelona coach himself, Saric will be aiming to help the hosts record their best ever World Championship.

Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson is FC Barcelona’s tireless Icelandic winger. The island side will be looking to improve as the tournament goes on and Sigurdsson’s consistency will be one of Iceland’s strongest features.

Jesper Noddesbo will be aiming to claim the title that has evaded Denmark in the last World Championship and in the last European Championships. With a squad led by former blaugrana Mikkel Hansen, the Danes are one of the favourites for gold in Qatar.