Egypt's Junior Handball Dream Goes to World Cup Final: Germany Awaits
31 October 2025
Egypt's Junior Handball Dream Goes to World Cup Final
Khaled Fathi, president of the Egyptian Handball Federation, expressed immense happiness after the junior national team qualified for the World Championship final, calling it the fruit of teamwork and unwavering dedication from everyone involved in the system.
In remarks to the federation's media center, he said the entire nation is bursting with pride at reaching the final and that the squad's hard work continues as they prepare to lift Egypt's name higher on the world stage.
Fathi noted that all players are now focused on winning the world title, with the final scheduled against Germany on Saturday at 10:15 p.m. Cairo time, a date that also coincides with the ceremonial opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
“We are Egyptian, and we play for Egypt, aiming to write history,” he said. “The team receives broad support from every level of sport and government as they chase the trophy.”
He praised the coaching staff under Emad Ibrahim, stressing that Egyptians running the show have helped carve out a strong identity for Egypt in handball, and that every player delivered a performance worthy of a final.
“Spain’s win did not come by accident,” Fathi explained. “The federation planned carefully, learned from past matches, studied the opponent, and even faced them twice in friendlies to sharpen our edge.”
He also thanked the sports leaders and the Olympic Committee for their unwavering support, recognizing that this spirit of collaboration is a key driver of the team's success.
Tarik Mahrous, the supervisor of youth and junior teams, said he was proud of Egypt's achievement and that the 2008-born generation has reached a World Cup final in Morocco.
Mahrous noted that several players born in 2008 had previously featured in a 2006 group at the World Cup in Egypt, which helped grow experience and turned them into world-class players.
He added that the under-17 squad, led by coach Emad Ibrahim, has managed the tournament with excellence, proving that Egypt possesses a generation capable of competing at the highest level.
The players' courage and commitment have honored both handball and Egyptian sport, with the team serving as a source of pride as they continue their climb toward the final.
Mahrous urged the players to forget the Spain result and focus on Germany, insisting that if they maintain that focus, Egypt can crown the World Championship.
Amr Fathy, a member of the federation's board, said the qualification to the final was the result of collective work and strategic planning within the federation's structure.
He added that the 31–28 victory over Spain reflected a plan to build a solid base of talented players, with praise for coach Emad Ibrahim and the entire technical staff.
Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi lauded the achievement and voiced confidence that the team could claim the title, noting the ministry's ongoing commitment to junior programs.
Sobhi argued that the federation's programs for the youth have repeatedly placed Egypt in world finals, and that this success aligns with national strategies to develop people and promote sport as a soft power.
As Egypt's juniors prepare for the final with fighting spirit, players and staff are driven by the goal of winning the world title and delighting fans who are following the tournament with pride.
Punchline 1: If they win, that trophy will have more stamps than my passport—Egypt finally gets a truly portable prize.
Punchline 2: Our defense is so tight that even the ball files a restraining order against the net.
