Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a dramatic and emotional showdown on home soil, Egypt’s U-19 national handball team clinched fifth place at the 2025 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship after defeating Iceland 32-31 in a thrilling placement match held in Cairo. The match, which saw a remarkable second-half comeback by the Pharaohs, concluded Egypt’s campaign on a high note and reaffirmed the country’s rising stature in global handball.
A Match of Two Halves
Despite entering the match with energy and confidence, Egypt faced a tough start. Iceland dominated the first half with strong tactical discipline and accurate finishing, pulling ahead by five goals to lead 17-12 at halftime. The deficit placed Egypt under considerable pressure, with fans at Cairo’s arena anxiously watching.
However, the second half witnessed a stunning turnaround. Driven by determination, defensive cohesion, and the brilliance of the Egyptian goalkeeper, the hosts gradually chipped away at Iceland’s lead. The attack, led by a dynamic offensive line, found its rhythm just in time. With seconds left on the clock, Egypt snatched the winning goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and sealing a memorable one-goal victory.
Egypt’s Road to Fifth Place
Egypt entered the tournament strongly, topping their preliminary group with convincing wins over South Korea (46-27), Bahrain (36-28), and Japan (36-28). In the main round, they fought to draws against both the Czech Republic (35-35) and Denmark (29-29), showcasing their resilience against European competition.
Their campaign for the title was halted in the quarterfinals by Spain in a tightly contested 31-29 defeat. Refusing to bow out quietly, Egypt bounced back to crush Norway 47-24 in the placement round, before edging Iceland to secure fifth overall—one of their best finishes in recent editions.
Iceland: The Tournament’s Surprise Package
Iceland, meanwhile, emerged as one of the standout teams of the tournament. Their group stage saw dominant victories over Guinea (41-19), Saudi Arabia (43-27), and Brazil (25-19). They fell narrowly to Serbia (28-29) in the main round but rebounded with an impressive 32-31 win over Spain.
Their journey came to a halt in the quarterfinals with a loss to Sweden, yet they managed to beat Hungary in the placement stage before facing Egypt in the final classification match.
A New Generation of Egyptian Talent
Egypt’s squad featured 19 promising players, including standout names such as Yusuf Abdel Hadi, Omar Fathy, Hamza Waleed, and Mohamed Adlan. The team displayed a balanced mix of tactical awareness, speed, and physical strength attributes that reflect the continued evolution of Egyptian handball.
The Egyptian Handball Federation and coaching staff were praised for developing a cohesive, battle-ready team capable of competing at the highest level. The players’ passion and maturity throughout the tournament signal a promising future for the sport in Egypt.
Looking Ahead
With this strong finish, Egypt once again cements its place among the world’s handball elite at the youth level. More importantly, the performance serves as a testament to the country’s deep talent pool and long-term investment in the sport.
As the tournament closes, the message from Cairo is clear: Egypt’s handball future is in safe hands, and the next generation is ready to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors, continuing a proud legacy of global success.
