EGYPT is among 16 teams left in the world handball championship in Portugal but as Inas Mazhar reports, the world's fourth best team should go much farther After five days of qualification matches, Egypt placed fourth in its Group D behind Sweden, Denmark and Slovenia. Algeria and Brazil were knocked out. Egypt finished fourth overall in France in 2001 and is hoping to do no less this year. But thus far, the country's performance in the 15-day event has been mixed, winning twice, losing two and drawing one. Egypt started poorly when it lost its opener to Sweden 29-23, then drew with Algeria 25-25. But it surprisingly beat Slovenia 27-26 before being humbled by Denmark 35-26. However, Egypt booked a berth in the second round when it defeated Brazil in the decisive fifth game 31-24. Sweden and Denmark finished with eight points but Sweden topped the group on goal difference. Slovenia collected six points and Egypt five. Spain topped Group A with 10 points, followed by Yugoslavia with eight and Poland six. African champions Tunisia had four points to squeeze into the knockout stage. Kuwait and Morocco were eliminated. In Group B, Germany came first with 10 points, Iceland second with eight and Portugal third with six. Qatar made it to the round of 16 in its maiden appearance in the world championships. Australia and Greenland exited. The 1996 Olympic gold medallist Croatia ended atop Group C, ahead of defending champions France who finished second with eight points. Former world champions Russia finished third with five points while Hungary garnered fourth place with four points. Argentina, which upset Croatia, nevertheless left Portugal early, together with Saudi Arabia. In the second round, Group C and D are to meet while the teams of Group A will vie with Group B. According to the new handball federation rules, every team will play twice in the round of 16, replacing the previous knockout system. Today, Egypt will play Russia, a repeat of the 2001 edition in which Egypt won and went on to the semis. Yesterday, Egypt was scheduled to meet Croatia. The semi-final of this 19th edition of the competition is Saturday and the final is scheduled for Sunday.
