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Al-Ahram Weekly 6 - 12 May 1999 Issue No. 428 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 6 - 12 May 1999 Issue No. 428
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Special Focus Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Bridesmaid no more
By Inas MazharEgypt won the Al-Ahram International Championship this week for the first time since the tournament began in 1996. The victory also went a long way toward preparing the team for the World Handball Championships scheduled to take place in Egypt next month.
In the Al-Ahram tournament, Egypt had been runners-up the past three years; to Russia in 1996, Spain in 1997 and was bridesmaid to the Russians again last year. The three-day event this year did not have Russia, something which obviously helped Egypt's chances. Algeria, Greece and Turkey were the other participants, with the North Africans being the only world championship qualifier. Algeria will play in Group A along with Spain, Denmark, Tunisia, Morocco and Argentina.
Currently ranked sixth in the world, Egypt claimed the Al-Ahram Championship after winning all its three games, including a 23-16 defeat of Algeria in the final played at Ahli club's indoor hall. En route to the trophy, Egypt also beat Turkey 29-25 in the opener and overpowered Greece 27-13.
Surprisingly, the inexperienced Greeks, whose average age is only 20, managed to come in second. The runners-up claimed three points after drawing with Algeria 21-21 in their opening match, then defeating Turkey 22-18.
Ashraf Awaad bears down on the Turkish goal photo: Khaled El-FiqiAlgeria, the 1998 African silver medallists, placed third collecting only two points from two draws, 21 apiece with Greece and 24-24 against Turkey. Turkey finished last, securing only one point from a tie with Algeria.
Egypt's previous attempt at improvement, made at the World Cup held jointly by Norway and Sweden in March, left much to be desired. The team finished in sixth place in a field of eight nations.
Hassan Moustafa, president of the Egyptian Handball Federation, said Egypt had done itself proud in the Al-Ahram tournament. "This victory is a result of hard work for the past year," Moustafa said. "I see the Egyptian team as a serious contender for the world title. We want to become the first nation ever to combine both the juniors and seniors world titles." The Egyptian junior team won the 1993 world title when the tournament was held in Egypt.
The Al-Ahram Championship was the last warm-up before the World Championships, to be held in Africa for the first time. The 15-day event will be played in three venues: Cairo, Ismailia and Port Said.
