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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 - 30 August 2000 Issue No. 496 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 - 30 August 2000 Issue No. 496
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A title and an Olympic target
By Inas Mazhar
It was a double trio for the national team last week; participating in the three-day Cairo Stadium event and coming out with three victories. In a showdown which, once again, proved their international prowess, Egypt beat Algeria, Slovenia and Sweden, on the final day. The three consecutive triumphs gave Egypt an edge over points, and for the second year in a row, the title was theirs.
"Our players carried out the plan set by Yugoslav head coach Zoran Zikovic very well and that is what led to their victory," said Hassan Mustafa, president of the Egyptian Handball Federation. "This championship was the best chance for the team's head coach to try all the 22 players in order to select the best 16-man team that will participate in the Olympics. The Algeria-Slovenia spectacle was flooded with counterattacks, the icing being the expulsion of two Algerian players from the match. It didn't take its toll, though, as the Algerians stole the game 26-24 to claim second place. Algeria's Taher Labane was named the tournament's best player, and Slovenia, despite the loss, received the tournament's fair play cup.
It was all intense, tension-provoking play. Except for Sweden, that is, which with its junior team had not much to show besides hope.
"The team, however, is progressing and gaining more experience," said Bengt Johansson, head coach of the Swedish senior and junior national teams. "We couldn't participate with the seniors. The team is now preparing for the Sydney Olympics a little bit exhausted from taking part in two big events, the intercontinental cup in Saudi Arabia and the Bercy Championship in France."
Algeria was one of three hurdles Egypt overcame to bag the Al-Ahram handball championship. Enjoying the match from the stands was Minister of Youth Aliyiddin Hilal and General Manager of Al-Ahram Organisation Ali Ghoneim
photo: Mohamed Mosa'd
Bengt noted the steadily improving level of Egyptian play, adding that if Egypt continued on that path, it could clinch an Olympic medal in Sydney.
Sydney will be another story, though, as the eclectic mix of teams will be another pool to dive into. While in past years the tournament attracted many players, this year there were some noticeable absences; including Russia, a two-time Al-Ahram winner.
"Usually teams scheduled to compete against each other in the same group in a world championship or in the Olympics don't clash against in friendly games prior to these events," said Dr Hassan Mustafa." For many reasons; First , it's dangerous for the players; any of teams' players could get injured on purpose or not. Second, this could be a chance for the coaches to study the tactics, techniques, plan and the style of play of the teams. They could be open books in front of each other and thus will minimise the teams chances of winning." The Olympics draw has pooled Egypt with Russia, Yugoslavia, Cuba, South Korea, and Germany all of whom were absent from the Egypt event.
Egypt played well, and the hopes of upping their previous sixth place Olympic spot are high. They have the talent ; they have the confidence of titles. What it all boils down to, though, is focusing on the target.
