Al Ahly Clinches World Handball Championship Semi-Final Berth; Zamalek Departs
28 septembre 2025
Al Ahly Clinches World Handball Championship Semi-Final Spot
Al Ahly of Egypt advanced to the semi-finals of the World Handball Championship, despite a 22-31 defeat to Hungarian powerhouse Veszprém in their third-group match. The tournament is staged in Egypt's Administrative Capital, keeping the home crowd hopeful as the hosts press for a deep run.
Group dynamics and key moments
Al Ahly had a strong first half, trading blows with Veszprém and entering the break down by a single goal, 12-13. In the second half, the Hungarian side pulled away, extending the gap to nine points as physical power took its toll. The Red Devils are coached by Spanish tactician David Davies, who returned to lead the squad this season after a departure last year.
Earlier, Zamalek faced Barcelona in a decisive clash, losing 25-47 as the Catalans, featuring Egypt's Seif El-Der for a few minutes but not scoring against his former club, pressed their claim to the knockout rounds. Seif El-Der, the Egyptian star now with Barcelona, logged minutes but did not find the scoresheet against his old teammates. Gamal Mahmoud led Zamalek with seven goals, a performance that stands out in a tough night.
Sharjah also fell, losing 26-36 to Magdeburg, one of the world's strongest clubs. With those results, Magdeburg, Barcelona, and Veszprém advanced to the knockout stage, while Al Ahly clinched the semi-finals as the best runner-up after beating Sydney University 41-14 in round one and accumulating sufficient points overall.
There is a controversial rule in this tournament that lets the host club choose its group, a factor critics say benefits the host; Al Ahly leveraged this in past editions by aligning with Sydney University and continuing their run. The IHF has resisted calls to expand participation, keeping debates about the competition's strength alive.
Al Ahly's journey mirrors a broader African handball ascent. The club has appeared five times, finishing as runners-up in 2007 and taking bronze in 2024 after beating Barcelona 32-29 in the third-place play-off. They will represent Africa in 2025 after securing the African Super Cup against the Tunisian side, cementing the continent's continued presence on the world stage.
The match tonight may have been a setback, but the night belongs to the fans who stayed loud and hopeful. If scoring were a sniper's job, Al Ahly would be picking off goals with laser precision. And as for Zamalek? They’ll need a bigger trophy cabinet to host this season’s popcorn-worthy highlights.
