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Group D: Egypt secure final Main Round spot

17 Jan. 2019

Group D: Egypt secure final Main Round spot

Egypt - Angola 33:28 (19:12)

Thursday was the fifth and last match day in Group D. Sweden and Hungary were already qualified for the Main Round, before the day went off but the third place was still to fight for – and the group was wide open.

Before the first match this afternoon, Egypt found themselves in the best position for this last Main Round ticket, as they shared the points with Hungary yesterday: a win for Egypt would secure them a position in the top three. Angola would need a win, and some help from Qatar to go all the way to the Main Round.

In the opening of the match, the Egyptian wing Mohammed Sanad could score three goals from the wing. Though Rome Hebo was suspended for two minutes, Angola kept contact in the beginning. The game was level at 3:3.

Ali Zeinelabedin was placed on the bench from the start. However, Egypt were able to take a comfortable lead in the ninth minute. In minute 12, Yehia Elderaa could increase their lead to 9:4. It was Elderaa’s fourth goal.

Afterwards, Angola needed a time-out. The coach of Angola changed the keeper-position. And even though he did a great job, Karim Hendawy was on a higher level at the other end.

Angola could not keep the contact any longer; Egypt had a 12:7 lead in the 19th minute.

Mohammed Sanad could once again score for Egypt, causing the Egyptian supporters to cheer. It was Sanad’s fifth goal: 17:11 after 24 minutes.

Symptomatic for the first half, Declerck Sibo for Angola hit the post from the 7m-line. Afterwards, he managed to hit the post again after the rebound. It was clearly a difficult afternoon for Angola and at the half-time buzzer, the score line showed a 19:12 lead for Egypt.

The second half started as the first half, where the two teams followed each other in the first minutes. But in the end of the last 30 minutes, Egypt get Declerck Sibo from Angola under control, who continued scoring goals as in the first 30 minutes. Because of his seven goals, Angola won the second half. But it was not enough – Angola could not get closer than minus four goals.

The Egyptian victory was never in danger, but Angola never gave up. After 47 minutes played, Rome Hebo got his third two-minutes suspension, which lead to a red card.  

Thanks to the great performances of Yehia Elderaa with eight goals and goalkeeper Karim Hendawy, Egypt are now ready for the Main Round.

Egypt won the game 33:28 and are now going to the Main Round in Herning. Angola will stay in Copenhagen, to fight for the 17-24 places, this weekend in the President’s Cup.

 

hummel Player of the Match: Yehia Elderaa (EGY)

 

Statements after the match

Egypt coach, David Davis: Congratulation to our players and our federation. It’s a big day for our history. I think that we played better and better as the tournament progressed. Today I think we had the higher energy.

Angola coach, Jose Nobrega: First of all, congratulation to Egypt. I think we didn’t believe in it, in the first half. Second half was better, we played better, but it wasn’t enough. I think we surprised everyone in this championship, especially with our win against Qatar.

Mohammed Sanad: As our coach said, it’s a big day. We haven’t been in to these games since 2001, so of course it’s a big day for us. We reached our goal, and I hope we can do well in the Main Round.

Declerck Sibo, Angola: It was a really tough match. We played better in the second, but we were not able to make the difference. We have to keep our heads high; there are still two games to go.