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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 - 10 November 1999 Issue No. 454 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 - 10 November 1999 Issue No. 454
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Power, poise and perfection
By Abeer AnwarThe Egyptian hockey team won the first Mediterranean championship sponsored by Al-Ahram, beating Gibraltar 4-1 in the final.
The two teams had entered the final undefeated, setting the stage for a clash of titans. Egypt qualified for the final after dismantling Cyprus 15-0, Greece 14-0, Malta 10-0, Morocco 12-0 and Croatia 10-4, a combined offense totalling an awesome 61 goals in five games -- an average of over 12 goals a game.
On its way to the final, Gibraltar was not as overpowering, beating Greece 6-0, Morocco 12-0, Croatia 5-1, Malta 10-3 and Cyprus 13-5.
Gibraltar opened the scoring from the penalty spot. But Egypt remained steady and never looked back after getting the equaliser, scoring four unanswered goals in all to give Egypt its first Mediterranean title.
"Gibraltar was not an easy team but our players held the upper hand," Egyptian coach Ali El-Shorbagi said following the victory. "I am very happy to win the title in Alexandria and among our fans."
The tournament, staged at Smoha's grounds from 23 to 30 October, also saw two exhibition matches to mark the diamond jubilee of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). An all-star world team beat Australia's women, gold medal winners at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the current world champions, 4-3. Half time ended in a goalless draw.
The second exhibition pitted a world select team against the Netherlands, defending world champions and Atlanta gold medal winners. The world's best won 4-1.
"It was difficult to train the world team because most of the players have never played together," said Sue Slocombe, coach of the women's all-star team. "Yesterday was the first day for them to train together. That's why they were scoreless in the first half but they were able to bring it up a notch in the second." Slocombe had one word for the field: beautiful. "It is a lovely surface and a fantastic stadium. It meets international standards." She also said Egypt was a nice country and the weather also "beautiful."
Egypt's field hockey team beating Gibraltar 4-1 in the final of the Mediterranean Championship. An all-star world team beating Australia's women, current world champions, 4-3 photos: Essam Shokri
Tricia Heberle, coach of the Australian team, shared Slocombe's opinion about the pitch. On the match she said, "My team is the world's No 1 but it is the first time we play a world team. I think that in a second encounter, our team would win."
The world team included two Egyptians, Magdi Abdullah and Ashraf Shafiq. "Both are very talented and set an example in obedience and commitment to the team," coach Shiraz Virjee said. "I never imagined Egypt could produce such talented hockey players."
