By: Nabila Essam

The Egyptian national team drew 25-25 with Slovenia team. Slovenia took the lead in the first half and scored 12-8. This game was one of the games of Egypt's main-round group at World Handball Championship that Egypt is hosting till January 31.

The Egyptian national team roared back in style in the second half and took the lead after they failed to control the first half, during which Slovenia team managed to control the game. Egypt's group contains: Slovenia, Sweden, Belarus, North Macedonia, and RHF.

After Slovenia draw, Egypt advanced to quarter-finals of one of the biggest handball tournaments in the world, regardless of the results of the rest teams in the group.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, attended the match between Egypt and Slovenia, and it was also attended by Dr. Hassan Moustafa, President of the International Handball Federation, Ambassador Mateja Prevolsek, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Cairo, and EHF President Eng. Hesham Nasr, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the championship, Dr. Hussein Labib, director of the organizing committee, a number of heads of subcommittees in the organizing committee, Major General Ahmed Nasser, President Association of African Sport Confederations, Dr. Mahmoud Hussein, head of the Youth and Sports Committee in the House of Representatives, and a group of public figures.  

The Egyptian national team is facing a big challenge during the tournament, as it appears for the 16th time in its history in the world championships, and it is the second time that the tournament was held on its lands after the 1999 edition in which the “Pharaohs” occupied seventh place. The best achievement for Egypt was with the golden generation who ranked fourth in the 2001 edition in France.

The Egyptian national team, who ranked eighth in the last world championships which was held in Germany and Denmark in 2019, is seeking to capture the championship title, and to climb for the first time on the podium of the world championship, which is held in such difficult circumstances. The number of participants is 32 teams instead of 24 for the first time in the competition's history.

Egypt is hosting the World Handball Championship in its 27th edition from 13-31 January 2021, with the participation of 32 teams. The championship is being held in 4 halls, namely, the main hall in Cairo Stadium, the New Administrative Capital hall, the Burj Al Arab hall, and the Dr. Hassan Muostafa hall in 6th of October City.