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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 May - 2 June 1999 Issue No. 431 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 May - 2 June 1999 Issue No. 431
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Living Features Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Teams in a nutshell
The World Handball Championships will bring together a record 24 nations from five continents. Al-Ahram Weekly profiles the teams and their previous performances
Aerial view of Cairo Stadium's indoor complex, main venue of the 16th World Handball Championship
Spain:
It will be the Spaniards' eighth appearance in the championship. The runners-up of the 1998 European championship won the second Al-Ahram Championship held in 1997. Their best achievement was winning the 1996 Atlanta Games' bronze medal.
Head Coach: Juan De Dios Roman SecoTunisia:
The federation was founded in July 1957 and joined the International Handball Federation in 1962. Joined the African Federation in 1974. Won the African Championship five times. Participated in the World Championship three times. Has 76 clubs, including 6,350 players.
Head Coach: Ayari Sayed
Denmark:
World MVP Talant Dujshebaev of Spain
Participated in the World Championships 13 times before, second only to Sweden. Failed to qualify in 1990 and 1997. Best achievement was finishing second in 1967. Have won two juniors world titles in 1995 and 1997.
Head Coach: Kled NielsenAlgeria:
Participated in six previous championships, the most by an African country. The team, with six players based in France, Tunisia, Qatar and Spain, joined the IHF in 1963. The sport was introduced in 1942.Morocco:
Though the sport began in the North African country in 1950, the Royal Moroccan Federation was founded in 1957. Has played in three previous World Championships. The team has four players playing in France and Spain.
Head Coach: Bouhaddioui NourredineArgentina:This year's championship will be this South American nation's second consecutive participation. The first was in Japan in 1997.
Head Coach: Jose ManguezGermany:
In 1938 became the first country to host the World Handball Championship. Has won the title twice, in 1938 in Germany and in 1978 in West Germany. Runners-up in 1954, 1970 and 1974 while playing under the East German flag. Failed to qualify in 1997, but have momentum with victories over Russia and Sweden in 1998 World Cup. Daniel Steffan was named world's best player in 1998.
Head Coach: Brand HeinerSaudi Arabia:
Playing for the second consecutive time, the country's first championship was in 1997. Qualified after winning the West Asian Zone.
Head Coach:Jaganjac Ekrem
Egypt:
Egypt's captain Ahmed Bilal
The Pharaohs will be appearing for the fourth consecutive time in a World Championship. Achieved sixth place in both 1995 and 1997. Won the All-Africa Games in 1991 and 1995 as well as the African Nations Cup in 1993.
Head Coach: Javier Garcia CuestaCuba:
The team from Latin America will be appearing for the sixth time in the World Championships. In 1997, they reached round 16 where they were defeated by Egypt. Cuba, considered a dark horse in the tournament, has helped raise the level of handball in South America.Fyro Macedonia:
The Macedonian Federation celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The premier league includes eight clubs for men and seven for women while the federation has 180 referees and 60 coaches. Macedonia has never taken part in any major men's championships.
Head Coach: Stefenvski StevecBrazil:
Though football is by far the country's No 1 sport, handball has become a popular sport in universities and high schools. Has the largest number of federations, clubs and athletes in South America. Has participated in the previous two championships.
Head Coach: Sergio Hortelan
Russia:
Russia's pivot Dimitri Torgovanov
The reigning world champions have won the title twice, in Sweden 1993 and Japan 1997. Most of the players play in clubs in Germany, France and Spain.
Head Coach: Vladimir MaximovHungary:
Came fourth in the 1997 World Championship. Has participated in 12 World Championships.
Head Coach: Sandor VassCroatia:
The Olympic gold medallists were finalists in the 1995 World Championships and were eliminated from the quarter-finals in 1997.
Head Coach: Velimir KlajaicNorway:
With an average age of 26, the Norwegians are the youngest players in the tournament. The team also has 39 international matches under its belt. Since 1993, Norway has participated in every World Championship with the exception of 1995. Head coach: Magnus Christer
Nigeria:
The best in the nets, Igor Lavrov of Russia
Debutante Nigeria was awarded a place in the championships after coming fifth in the African Nations Cup in Johannesburg.Kuwait:
Kuwait played in the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the 1982 and 1995 World Championships. The Kuwaiti Handball Federation was founded in 1966 and joined the International Handball Federation in 1970. It was one of the founding nations of the Arab Handball Federation in 1975 and the Asian Federation in 1976.
Head Coach: Rashid MohamedSweden:
The Swedes have taken part in all 16 World Championships, a record number of appearances. The 1998 European champions have not won the world title since 1990. The Olympic silver medallists were runners-up in Japan in 1997.
Head Coach: Bengt JohanssonYugoslavia:
Has taken part in 10 previous World Championships. Won the title in 1986.
Head Coach: Zikovic Zoran
Australia:
Egypt's top scorer Ashraf Awwad
This country from Oceania is playing in the championship for the first time. The Australian handball team will also compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. There are 18 handball clubs playing in major cities in Australia, whose federation was founded in 1974.
Head Coach: Zoltan MarczinkaChina:
This is the second consecutive appearance for the Chinese in the World Championships. The first was in Japan in 1997.
Head Coach: Li YinglaiSouth Korea:
The Koreans, ranked eighth in the 1997 World Championship, entertain high hopes of improving their position. The top team in Asia has participated in five previous World Championships.
Head Coach: Kim Seong- HeonFrance:
France lost to Sweden in the 1993 final, won the tournament in 1995 and came third in 1997. It will be making its eighth appearance in the World Championships.
Head Coach: Constantini Daniel
