Egypt finished a poorly 17th out of 24 in the World Handball Championship in Germany. Inas Mazhar reports After failing to qualify for the second round, Egypt played for the newly created President's Cup -- a tournament within a tournament, so to speak -- in the hope of improving its position. But it was the Norwegian team that earned a clear 32:22 win over the Ukraine to receive the trophy from IHF President Hassan Mustafa in Lemgo. The final rankings of the President's Cup from the 13th place to the 24th: Norway, the Ukraine, South Korea, Argentina, Egypt, Kuwait, Brazil, Morocco, Angola, Greenland, Qatar and Australia. "Of course, I am disappointed but this is handball," head of Egypt's National Council of Sports Hassan Sakr, a former handballer, told reporters. In the President's Cup Egypt lost to the eventual winner Norway 27-18 and Korea 36-30 before beating Kuwait 26-22. In the group stage, Egypt lost to Spain and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, the semi-finals and placement matches from 5 to 8 will all take place today in Koln and Hamburg. The quarter-finals saw the best eight teams fighting for a berth at the semi-final. Final matches in Mannheim turned the main round group upside down. On the last match day, Croatia prevailed against current world champions Spain 29:28 and remained unbeaten to be considered as favourites in their quarter-final against France. Accordingly, the Spaniards lost place two to the Danish side that outclassed the brave Czech team 33:29 (12:15). In the nick of time, Russia qualified for the quarter-finals thanks to a 26:25 (12:15) victory over Hungary to present serious opposition to the Polish side. Hosts Germany gained their fourth victory in as many encounters of the main round. Heiner Brand's side proved predominant in the challenge with Iceland to soar to a 33:28 (17:11) victory at sold-out Dortmund Westfalenhalle (12,000 spectators). A number of player substitutions allowed both teams' key players to rest, for both teams had already won through to the quarter-finals. Poland has provided most of the surprises in the tournament, managing to finish at the top of the main round group one thanks to a 38:27 (13:17) win over Slovenia on Sunday night in Halle/ Westfalen and thanks to a win over host Germany. Under the guidance of coach Bogdan Wenta, they enter the knock-out stage of the quarter-finals having recorded just one single defeat to France. European champions France managed a final victory in the main round beating Tunisia 28:26 (18:11) in Halle/Westfalen. Tunisia missed out on a spot in the quarter-finals. Iceland achieved a 32:31 (17:15) victory over Slovenia in the main round group I to take revenge for their defeat to Poland. Coach Alfred Gislason's side beat Slovenia in Halle/Westfalen in front of 7,500 to go through to the quarter-finals. With five minutes to go, the Northern side led 30:25. Afterwards the goals Slovenia scored were nothing but cosmetic. Hosts Germany has booked a place in the quarter-finals. A hard- fought but merited win over European Champions France made Germany grab a spot among the last eight. Heiner Brand's side secured a 29:26 (14:9) victory in front of 12,000 roaring fans celebrating still long after the final whistle. Poland progressed to the quarter-finals after soaring to a 41:30 (17:13) victory over Tunisia. During their third main round match in Halle/Westfalen coach Bogdan Wenta's side from time to time broke away to boost the goal margin to 10. Another defeat forced Tunisia to kiss their hopes of repeating their 2005 result when they finished fourth in front of their home crowd. In main round group II, favourites Croatia were superior to the Czech Republic in terms of tactics and technique but the players of coach Lino Cervar barely got by 31:29 (14:12). The winning side's best player was Blazenko Lackovic (nine goals). Czech Filip Jicha added eight goals to increase his WHC record to 50. Title defenders Spain claimed a 33:31 victory over Hungary in main round I in Mannheim to earn a place in the knockout phase. A second main round win over Russia (26:24) provided the Denmark side with a place among the top eight of the tournament. Yet there is a glimpse of hope for the Russians. All three matches saw full stands at the SAP Arena (12,500). The Danish squad showed brilliant defence in their encounter with Russia. Brilliant goalkeeper Jasper Hvidt (24 saves) and quick fast-breaks sent the crowd into rapture. A 20:26 final score against the Czech Republic raised Russia's hopes again. Russia struggled hard against the Czech side until the middle of the second half when they took the lead (21:20) for the first time. Afterwards, it was all about the players of coach Wladimir Maximow keeping a firm hand on the match to earn their second W HC victory (30:26/12:14). However, the team's build-up play was not striking. In a fast-paced match against Hungary, Croatia won 25:18 (12:8) to remain unbeaten. The Magyars tried to keep up but failed again and again due to extraordinary Croatian goalkeeper Dragan Jerkovic who saved 18 shots, including two 7m throws). More than 9,000 spectators witnessed a brilliant Danish performance in terms of game technique and a fabulous defence and eight successful counter-attacks. From the beginning, the players of coach Ulrik Wilbek kept the world champion, with high concentration and excellent teamwork, under control. Wing player Lars Christiansen (seven goals) as well as playmaker and boss in defence Joachim Boldsen (five) stood out in the winner's team, whereas Spanish playmaker Ikar Romero greatly disappointed. With a high energy performance the host also won their second main round match. One day after the victory over Slovenia, Germany prevailed against Tunisia 35:28 (19:11) in front of 12,000 spectators in Dortmund. Coach Heiner Brand's team at one time led by 10 goals. Germany made a big leap towards reaching their minimum aim of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Poland remains the surprising team of the championship. After the victory over host Germany at the end of the preliminary round group, the East Europeans stood out again against Iceland. In their second main round match, the players of coach Bogdan Wenta gained a 35:33 (12:14) victory. European Champions France impressively underlined their ambitions to grab a medal at the championship. In Halle/Westphalia, the team of coach Claude Onesta claimed an invulnerable 33:19 (18:19) win over Slovenia. For Slovenia it was the second negative experience in Main Round Group I after their defeat to Germany one day before. The World Championship attracted celebrities including Iñaki Urgandarin, the duke of Mallorca. The Spaniard played handball from 1986 to 2001 and participated with the Spanish team in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, winning the bronze medal each time. Since his marriage to Princess Cristina of Spain, he bears the title of Duke. Heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko stood between the goal posts before his next boxing match in March in Mannheim. The 2m-towering Ukrainian cut a good figure even when dressed in suit and tie. Klitschko did not betray for which team he will keep his fingers crossed. Also during the championship, Greenland's national team received the sympathy of the spectators. In Wetzlar, where the "Inuits" played their preliminary round matches in Group A, 25 of their fan group bought original jerseys, Viking helmets as well as flags to loudly whip up their side. "This is really amazing, we are stunned", Greenland's coach said Jakob Andreasen.
