Egypt and Cuba share spoils; People’s Republic of China win Asian clash

In President's Cup Group II, Egypt claimed their first-ever point at the IHF Women’s World Championship, splitting the points with Cuba. The all-Asian duel was also tight, but the People’s Republic of China ultimately earned their second win, this time against Kazakhstan, and top the group with four points, one more than the second-placed Cubans.

President's Cup Group II
Egypt vs Cuba 26:26 (14:12)

The goalkeepers of both sides enjoyed a good game, as Cuba’s Danielys Herranz finished with 15 saves and a 37% save rate, and Egypt’s Mai Gomaa – who was named hummel Player of the Match – posted a very similar record, stopping 15 shots for a 38% save efficiency.

Cuba had a slight advantage in the first half, often pulling ahead by one or two goals, but Egypt repeatedly drew level. The teams were tied at 12:12 with 80 seconds left in the half, before goals from Shrouk Elsheref and Nouran Abdelsalam gave the Africans a two-goal cushion.

After the restart, Egypt continued to dominate and extended their lead to six goals midway through the second half, 22:16. However, Cuba, who had produced an impressive comeback against Kazakhstan two days earlier, kept fighting and hit back again.

Powered by the unstoppable Lorena Téllez, who finished as top scorer of the encounter with 11 goals, they equalised at 23:23 and then moved in front 25:24. The closing minutes were extremely tense, and Egypt’s Touka Gadallah was the last to score, securing the World Championship debutants their first point at this level with just three seconds remaining.

hummel Player of the Match: Mai Gomaa (Egypt)

People’s Republic of China vs Kazakhstan 32:30 (16:15)

On Thursday, China claimed their first win at the tournament, 35:32 against Egypt, which boosted their confidence. They enjoyed a strong start against Kazakhstan as several goals from right wing Pingping Zhang helped them to a 5:1 lead.

A Kazakhstan timeout briefly turned the tide, and soon they were 8:7 ahead following a 4:0 run. But China answered with a 4:0 run of their own and went into half-time with a one-goal lead, 16:15.

The tight battle continued after the break. Kazakhstan’s goalkeepers Damira Zhaparova and Darya Kolesnichenko combined for 19 saves, and Zhaparova, who stopped 13 shots, was named hummel Player of the Match. Their team stayed in the fight, repeatedly drawing level after China pulled in front.

Yet between the 50th and 53rd minute, China produced a crucial 3:0 run. Centre back Fengying Pan took responsibility, scoring a couple of important goals as her team moved 31:27 ahead before ultimately sealing a two-goal victory. Kazakhstan, who suffered their fifth consecutive defeat at the tournament, sit bottom of the group and will now hope to open their account on Monday against Egypt.

hummel Player of the Match: Damira Zhaparova (Kazakhstan)