Veszprém HC became the second semi-finalist at the 2024 IHF Men’s Club World Championship, after securing their second win in as many matches, 34:27, against Zamalek SC.

The Egyptian side has already lost their chance to progress to the next phase, as they have an inferior goal difference to Khaleej Club, and no mathematical chance to be the best second-placed side in the preliminary round, heading to the Placement Matches.

GROUP A
Zamalek SC (EGY) vs Veszprém HC (HUN) 27:34 (15:18)

Back at the IHF Men’s Club World Championship for the first time since 2015, Veszprém HC aimed to make it two out of two, but Zamalek SC were no pushovers, as proven in the first match against Handebol Taubate, when they clinched a win, after leading even by 16 goals in the second half.

Nevertheless, in a special match for Yehia Elderaa, the former Zamalek player, who featured for the Egyptian club between 2018 and 2022, when he signed for Veszprém, the Hungarian side pulled no punches and led from start to finish, albeit never truly dominating, with the runners-up of the CAHB African Supercup, Zamalek, staying close for more than 40 minutes.

It was all about Veszprém converting their chances, but this time around, the Hungarian side provided a slower attack, taking their time, but still being perfect on fast breaks, where they scored four goals out of four shots. Nevertheless, Zamalek’s goalkeeper, the experienced Karim Hendawy, delivered yet another good performance, with 13 saves for a 28% saving efficiency, hampering Veszprém’s efforts.

Still, Veszprém had enough firepower in their arsenal to control the match, replacing Nedim Remili, who did not have a bright start of the match with Lukas Sandell, with the Swedish right back scoring five times throughout the match.

Line player Nikola Grahovac added five goals himself, with Zamalek still holding on after 30 minutes, as the Hungarian champions were leading by three goals, 18:15, and the match open, provided Zamalek had a better outing in defence in the second half.

Indeed, Veszprém did not score as many goals in the second part of the match, but neither did Zamalek, with more misses, as both sides registered under a 65% shooting efficiency. But that did not mean that Zamalek could cut the gap lower than four goals, 25:29, with six minutes to go in the match.

In the end, with the superior depth, Veszprém pulled away and secured a 34:27 win, in a match which they did not shine, but they controlled from start to finish, sealing their second win in as many matches.

After their 43:17 win against Taubate and this win against Zamalek SC, Veszprém HC have secured the first place in the group, with four points, but with a lower goal difference than SC Magdeburg, which means they will not be the best first-placed team in the preliminary round.

On the other hand, Zamalek SC, which have two points, after their win against Taubaté, have no chance of going to the semi-finals, because of their inferior goal difference, -2, with Khaleej Club currently holding that position, with two points and a +16 goal difference.

Player of the Match: Yehia Elderaa (Veszprém HC)