A clear win over European rivals Sweden puts Egypt in the eighth-finals with two games to spare.

GROUP B
Egypt vs Sweden 32:22 (14:11)

Egypt were never behind in this match as they increased their lead steadily through the 60 minutes to end as 10-goal winners and move into the eighth-finals.

The game was unexpectedly one-sided as the North African team dominated their European opponents in attack and defence with the Jerry Hallback’s Sweden side bringing the score even for just two minutes (17-19th minute, 7:7, 8:8) in the 60.

On his way to a best player of the match performance, Egypt goalkeeper Abdelrhman Taha Ali made eight saves from 19 attempts in the first period (15 overall) while Sweden’s Gustaf Banke could only stop six of the 20 attempts he faced.

Ludvig Jurmala Astrom did his best to keep his side in touch with five of his sides’ 11 goals in the first half but the second half was worse as a demoralised Sweden, who maybe had their minds already on their next match against Korea tomorrow, could not find their rhythm. They will now be extra-motivated for their match tomorrow as they seek to seal their last 16 spot too.

For Egypt, they can relax somewhat, knowing an eighth-final spot is theirs.

"It was a very important game for us to climb position and qualify for the knockout stages,” said Taha Ali after the match. “We know what we wanted to do and that was key to the victory".

Jurmala Astrom was clear with what wrong in the match for European side. “The problem was in the second half,” he said. “We were stressed by being down in the score and their goalkeeper was phenomenal.

“It’s a blow, but this does not end here - we have to keep fighting in the two days remaining of the  preliminary round.”

Best Player of the Match: Abdelrhman Taha Ali (EGY)