Unbeaten Sweden and Egypt highlight of Group B, round three

The third round of matches in Group B at the As Travesas Sports Hall in Vigo sees Australia in their first-ever world championship at this level take on the world champions of the 1998-generation, France, while Egypt and Sweden – both with two wins from two, clash at midday.

Korea will be looking to get their first points in the Asia vs Africa clash against Nigeria.

GROUP B
Feature Match: Egypt vs Sweden
As Travesas Sports Hall, 12:00 local time

Group B table-toppers Egypt face Sweden in the highlight clash of the day in the third round of matches at the 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in Spain.

Together, the two nations have appeared 39 times in this competition and both teams have two wins from two games so far at Spain 2019 to sit on four points each. Egypt are on top however with a better goal difference, thanks to wins over Australia and Nigeria, ahead of Sweden, who defeated Korea and Australia in their two matches so far.

While Egypt were not really tested in their 44:17 and 47:30 victories over Australia and Nigeria respectively, Sweden started with a tough match, against Korea, winning 34:28 and then dispatched the Oceania team 44:16.

Both teams have enjoyed a rest day and should be full of energy in the midday throw-off with Egypt’s Walid Khaled even revealing he felt pretty good after the continental win against Nigeria.

“The game was pretty tough at the beginning,” he said. “But in the second half we improved and I think considerably we are in the best possible shape to face Sweden."

For Sweden coach Jerry Hallback, Egypt is a crucial marker in their progression through Spain 2019. “Egypt will be a really tough and important match with respect to how the group will look,” he said to the Swedish Handball Federation website. “Now we have landed here [in Spain] properly and have managed to catch up with us, we have found better solutions with our formations and look forward to it. We really want to make a good match.”

Exciting Korea hope to get first points, biggest test yet for Australia

As usual, Korea have been exciting the crowds with their ingenious attacking play and pressurised defence, but it has so far resulted in two losses out of two – against Sweden and France. However, these are arguably the two toughest games in the group and they will be expected to take the win against a depleted Nigerian side in the morning.

Australia take on the defending 1998-generation world champions at 14:00 (local time) in what could be their toughest encounter at Spain 2019, but it is a test that the youngest team at Spain 2019 will relish, playing against the world’s best in their age category. While the final result may be clear on paper, Australia will give it their all on court.

Group B – As Travesas Sports Hall, Vigo: Friday 19 July
All times local

10:00 NGR vs KOR
12:00 EGY vs SWE
14:00 FRA vs AUS