(MENAFN- The Peninsula) FC Barcelona are looking to defend their title while three local clubs are eyeing to make host nation proud as the IHF Super Globe 2014 kicks off today, here at the newly-built Qatar Handball Association Complex.
As many as eight teams divided into two groups will be vying for the title at the five-day championship.
Doha is playing host to the contest for the fourth consecutive time.
However, the 2014 edition holds significance as it is dubbed as the first test event for the World Handball Championship to be hosted by Qatar next year from January 15 to February 1.
The Qatar Handball Association Complex is one of the four venues which will host matches of the mega tournament.
Meanwhile, the participating teams include German club SG Flensburg-Handewitt (winners of the EHF Champions League) and Brazil's HC Taubate (Pan-American club champions). The two clubs have been bracketed among Qatar's El Jaish (winner of the Asian Club League) and Al Ahli in Group A.
The latter side is taking part in the event as the wild card entrant. Al Ahli was awarded the wild card Qatar Handball Association after they won the prestigious Qatar Handball Cup 2014, beating Al Lekhwiya in the final.
Alongside defending champions FC Barcelona, local club Al-Sadd, Tunisia's Esperance Sportive de Tunis (African club champion) and Representative Oceania comprise Group B.
FC Barcelona lifted the last year's trophy after defeating HSV Hamburg 27-25 in a nail-biting thriller.
After the group stage that will conclude on September 9, top two teams from each pool will advance into the semi-finals which will be played after a day's rest on September 11. The final and the match for bronze medal will be competed on the following day.
The host nation will be expecting a lot from El Jaish, the best team in Asia.
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