Two years after clinching the silver medal, Egypt achieved a flawless performance to secure the gold at the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship. With a decisive 2:0 (6:1; 12:6) victory over the United States of America, Egypt finally claimed the title on home soil.
During the inaugural championship, Egypt reached the finals held at the Dr. Hassan Moustafa Hall in the 6th of October City. Despite their efforts, they suffered a narrow shoot-out loss to Brazil, marking one of the most thrilling matches in wheelchair handball history.
Returning to the same venue with renewed determination, Egypt aimed to secure the title they narrowly missed. Nonetheless, the USA, making its debut on the grand stage, stood as a formidable opponent, boasting a four-match winning streak leading up to the final.
The match saw Egypt dominate from the start, taking advantage of the USA’s early shooting struggles. Egypt’s star player, Magdy Talaat Abdo Abbas, was in top form, scoring four points in the first set, including two via converted spin shots, leading to a commanding 4:0 advantage. Although Chayse Wolf managed to score for the USA, it wasn’t enough to close the gap, and Egypt secured a 6:1 win in the first set.
The USA, emphasizing the importance of strong defense, found themselves struggling both offensively and defensively in the second set. Abbas continued his outstanding performance, contributing significantly to Egypt’s 12:6 victory in the second set and cementing his status as the top scorer of the competition with 72 points.
Egypt’s path to victory was marked by close contests, winning four sets by a single point and two more by only two points, showcasing their resilience and peak performance at crucial moments. This triumph marked Egypt’s maiden world championship title, concluding the tournament with five wins out of six matches, their only loss being to Portugal in the preliminary round.
In the bronze medal match, reigning champions Brazil rebounded from their semi-final defeat to the USA. They showcased their prowess by defeating France 2:0, securing their place on the podium. Despite their semi-final setback, Brazil demonstrated their attacking strength, with top players Guilherme Lourenco and Anderson Ferreira combining for 15 points in the match.
This edition of the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship highlighted the sport’s growth and increasing competitiveness. The USA’s impressive debut and Brazil’s resilient performance underscored the dynamic and evolving nature of wheelchair handball.