In a thrilling display at the Arena Zagreb, Egypt’s national handball team showcased their prowess by defeating co-hosts Croatia 28:24 in the final Group H game of the preliminary round of the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship. Both teams had already secured their spots in the main round, yet Egypt’s victory signals their serious contention for a podium finish.
The match got off to a shaky start for the Croatian squad, with Egypt quickly establishing dominance. Despite the fervor of a sold-out arena, the Egyptians managed to thrive, propelled by the electrifying saves of player of the match, Mohamed Aly. His defensive mastery, including a remarkable ‘closed-scissor’ save, repeatedly stymied the Croatian offense, ending the game with 14 crucial saves.
In a strategic move, Egypt’s coach Juan Carlos Pastor introduced Abdelrahman Abdou, enhancing their lineup and securing an early 4:1 lead. Croatia, led by Igor Karacic in the absence of injured captain Domagoj Duvnjak, struggled to maintain momentum despite moments of brilliance by Filip Glavas and an impressive goal by goalkeeper Dominik Kuzmanovic.
Specialist commentary from handball analyst Lars Petersen highlights Egypt’s tactical depth, noting, “Egypt’s bench depth and Aly’s phenomenal goalkeeping are indicative of their growing stature in global handball. They are not just participants; they are strong contenders.”
The game saw Croatia grappling with their rhythm, hindered by unforced errors and Egypt’s relentless pressure. Coach Dagur Sigurdsson’s attempts to recalibrate his team through strategic timeouts and substitutions, such as bringing Ivan Pesic in goal, were met with limited success.
As the match progressed, Egypt capitalized on their tactical superiority, with Ali Zein’s entry injecting further energy into their play. The loss of Ahmed Hesham to a knee injury was a concern, yet Egypt maintained their composure, closing the first half 14:11.
Croatia showed sparks of resurgence in the second half, narrowing the gap to 19:18. However, Egypt’s cohesive play and strategic acumen saw them extend their lead decisively in the final minutes, securing a six-goal advantage at one point.
In other group action, Hungary topped Group D following a victory over the Netherlands, carrying three points into the main round. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, despite a strong start led by Lars Kooij and Robin Nachtegaal, will advance with two points.
Specialist insights from former Egyptian handball player Ahmed El-Ahmar suggest, “Egypt’s win against Croatia is a clear message to other contenders. Their mix of youth and experience is a formidable combination that could see them through to the final stages.”
As the championship progresses, Egypt’s emphatic victory in Zagreb has set the stage for an exhilarating main round, with all eyes on their quest for a coveted place on the podium.
