Handball: Egypt opens Olympic journey with a victory over Portugal

CAIRO-24 July 2021: The Egyptian handball men’s team achieved a 37-31 victory over Portugal on Saturday in the team’s opening game of the Olympic Games.

The first half ended with a 15-15 draw thanks to a beautiful shot from Yehia Khaled, from a free in the right position, which was the last chance of the first half. Khaled fired a left handed shot over the Portuguese wall and perfectly into the top corner.

In the second half, Egypt outclassed their opponents after the team’s goalkeeper Mohamed Essam El Tayar made several incredible saves, giving his teammates the chance to widen the score.

The Egyptians secured their first two points in the group ahead of the toughest clash in the group against the reigning champions and the 2021 World Cup winners, Denmark.

Egypt plays in Group B alongside Portugal, Denmark, Japan, Sweden and Bahrain.

Sweden and Bahrain opened the matches of the group earlier on Thursday and the Scandinavians achieved the victory by only one goal.

The top four teams of each group will reach the quarter-finals.