Egypt handball youngsters make history in North Macedonia

CAIRO – 16 August 2019: Egypt U19 handball national team defeated Iceland 35-31 on Thursday at the quarter finals of 2019 Men's Youth World Handball Championship in North Macedonia.

Egyptian players led the national team to the tournament’s semis for the first time in the history.

Egypt will challenge Portugal for a place at the tournament’s final on Saturday.

Portugal defeated the tournament’s favourites, France, 31-26 to reach the semi-finals.

Egypt failed to reach the competition’s semi-finals during seven appearances at the tournament.

Egypt’s best achievement at the competition came in 2007 and 2011 when the national team finished 5th.

Egypt has had an amazing journey at the tournament, having topped their group stage after defeating Sweden, Chinese Taipei, Canada and Hungary. Egypt’s only loss at the competition came against France at the second round of the group stage.

Egypt faced Slovenia on Wednesday at the round of 16 and the Egyptian team won the game 30-27.

Egypt’s squad consists of: Yasser Mohamed Saif El Din, Omar Ahmed Lotfy, Abdel Fattah Ali Youssef Ahmed, Youssef Alaa El Din, MazenReda, Mohamed Samir, Mohamed Hossam El Din, Ziad Ahmed, Ibrahim El Sayed, Hassan Walid, Saif Hany, Abdel Rahman Mohamed, Mohab Said and Omar Ahmed.