Czechia secured their maiden wins at the 2025 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, after a dramatic match against Tunisia, 33:32, while Brazil also drew first blood, with a 35:28 win over Guinea.

GROUP D
Brazil vs Guinea 35:28 (14:11)

After drawing dramatically with Saudi Arabia the day before, Brazil claimed their first win at Egypt 2025 by outplaying Guinea. With three points from two matches, the South Americans moved a step closer to the main round, while the African debutants saw their hopes dashed after a second consecutive defeat at the IHF Men's World Youth Championship.

Brazil took early control, with Diogo Borja scoring three times in the opening 12 minutes to help build a 6:1 lead. However, Guinea responded with determination, improving their shooting efficiency and mounting a comeback led by Alahaly Diaby and Luka Camara in attack, and buoyed by a few key saves from Marcel Loua in goal.

Guinea’s best spell came between the 21st and 25th minutes, when a 3:0 run reduced Brazil’s lead to just two goals at 12:10. Brazilian goalkeeper Guilherme Carneiro made a significant difference in the first half, registering 11 saves and a 50% save rate to keep his team ahead 14:11 at the break.

In the second half, Brazil extended their advantage to 19:14 after five minutes, only for Guinea to respond with four straight goals in three minutes, closing the gap to 19:18. However, Brazil quickly regrouped, and a burst of goals—particularly from Luan Ribeiro—saw them push the lead out to seven (28:21) with 11 minutes remaining.

Guinea were able to cut the deficit to four at 28:24 late in the game, but Brazil’s victory was soon assured. Diogo Borja and Luis Pereira Da Silva led Brazil’s scoring with seven goals each, while Player of the Match Marcos Oliveira contributed four goals and eight assists.

Next up, Brazil face group leaders Iceland on Saturday—a draw will be enough for Brazil to reach the main round. Should Brazil lose, and Saudi Arabia defeat Guinea, the tiebreaker will be goal difference (currently Brazil +7, Saudi Arabia -16).

Player of the Match: Marcos Oliveira (Brazil)

GROUP H
Tunisia vs Czechia 32:33 (14:15)

This was a do-or-die match for Czechia, which had previously lost their opener at the 2025 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship against Denmark. Lose this match against Tunisia and their main round hopes would be up in flames, especially after a very good performance against the Scandinavian side.

Therefore, the room for complacency was very small for the European side and that was there to be seen since the start of the match, when Czechia jumped to a 5:2 lead after only four minutes, with a fantastic attacking efficiency. But as soon as Tunisia beefed up their defence, they used a 3:0 run to tie the score, 5:5, and create issues for Czechia.

Back Tomáš Koníček was instrumental in Czechia opening yet another three-goal lead, 9:6, which grew to four goals, 11:7, as Tunisia looked to be losing steam, but three goals from Iyed Chattali scored in four minutes, managed to tie the score again, 12:12, with Czechia really having difficulties in pulling away.

Undobtedly, Tunisia’s goalkeeper, Eliess Borji, who had already a 38% saving efficiency in the first match against the USA, was the star of the team, boasting a fantastic 12-save tally and a 43% saving efficiency until the 50th minute, when Tunisia were still hoping to mount a comeback.

Running from behind for most of the match, Tunisia found themselves backed in a tough spot, down three goals with six minutes left, but managed to put the needed pressure on Czechia to see themselves down only two goals, 31:33, with 90 seconds left and the European side with a player suspended.

Tunisia even managed to cut Czechia’s lead to a single goal, 32:33, and the last minute was dramatic, with the African team trying to stop the European side to score, and keeping the ball as much as possible in their hands.

A miss from right wing Dominik Skopár with three seconds to go did not matter, as Czechia secured the crucial win, 33:32, and extended their main round hopes, with a win against the USA virtually sealing their place into the next phase of the competition.

Player of the Match: Tomáš Koníček (Czechia)