EGYPT is playing with the world's best 16 youth volleyball teams at the 2007 Boy's Youth World Championship in Tijuana and Mexicali, Mexico. Following the preliminary round matches, Saturday and Sunday were rest days but the teams had plenty to think about ahead of their second round matches which resumed on Monday and which promised spectacular action and full houses in both cities. The semi-final and final will be played next Saturday and Sunday. In the 9th-16th classification round in Mexicali, Puerto Rico was scheduled to face Egypt and Mexico to meet the US in Pool G. In Pool H, defending champion Russia fought for a lower position after a disappointing first round. They were scheduled to face Tunisia while Germany played Cuba. After three days of tough competition, there are no favourites in this tournament, as all the teams, except India, had lost at least one match. The big surprises are Argentina and France. The South Americans beat the US and reigning champions Russia, while the French dismissed the mighty Brazilians, six-time world champions, in a brilliant display played over three sets. In the midst of the stars, Egyptians lost all its matches in the preliminaries in Pool B in Mexicali. In the curtain- raiser with France, the European champions who finished in sixth position in the previous edition in Algeria two years ago, made the African champions leave the arena with their heads bowed low following a bitter 3-0 (25-9, 25-20, 25-16) loss in 64 minutes. In Egypt's second match, Brazil's best scorer Mauricio Silva led his team to another easy victory 3-0 (25-21, 25- 20, 25-23) over Egypt, the Brazilians penetrating the Egyptian defence at will. So easy was the game that Brazil coach Antonio Lerba used some of his substitutes to give some of his regulars a rest. In the third match in the preliminary, the Egyptians lost to Germany, again swept off the court 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-19). Still, the Germans could not get the needed tickets because France's victory changed the story line. The Brazilians are the reigning world champions in the men and junior categories after winning the competition in Japan in November and Morocco in July respectively. A third crown in Mexico will be the icing on the cake for the South Americans. On the other hand, the Egyptian handball juniors made it to the main round of the Junior Men's Handball World Championship in Macedonia after impressive wins in the preliminaries. With the third win in a row in the preliminary round, Egypt was the only team to earn the maximum of points after four match days at the tournament taking place from 13 to 26 August. Egypt had opened their campaign with a precious victory over France 27-25. It was a very close game with Egypt ahead by four goals at the end of the first half. In the second half, France took the lead for the first time on 44 minutes and held on for the rest of the way. The second encounter with Chile was an excellent warm-up for Egypt before their clash with Germany. Egypt won 41-21. "This match was to get one step closer to the main round," Egyptian head coach Karim Murad said. "We tried a few tactical plans. Now we're thinking about Argentina. We are going step by step. We're not thinking about Germany now." Against Argentina, Egypt breezed by 31-21 to set up a decisive round match against Germany. The clash in Group B saw Germany upend Egypt 28-19. The Europeans proved they are the strongest team of Group B, and favourites for a medal. The German defence was so good that Egypt's first goal came after 12 minutes. Croatia was the second team to secure a spot in the next phase of the tournament after drawing 25-25 with neighbours Slovenia. One of the biggest surprises was Portugal outlasting host Macedonia 31-29 in group A. But Macedonia stayed alive after the preliminary round after beating Kuwait 27-25. Both teams will play in the main round, and for the Asian champions, this will be the first appearance among the best 12 teams. France's win over Argentina in Group B put them in the next round. Sweden, Germany and Denmark also made it to the second stage. Sweden took first place in Group A, outclassing Portugal 40-29. The huge number of goals were attained thanks to an extra spurt by the French in the last 10 minutes. France took third place in Preliminary Group B to join Egypt and Germany in the main round. But the French players failed to shine against Argentina and owe their 22-18 victory to their sensational goalkeeper Vincent Gerard. Observers in Skopje expected the unexpected between Croatia and Russia in Group C, but everything became quite clear almost from the beginning. Croatia won 33-26. In Group D, Slovenia made easy wok of Bulgaria, ripping the rookies 41-22. There was little doubt who would be the winner after only five minutes. Denmark played with harmony, a second half with great defence and lot of combinations in attack to beat Slovakia 37-31 in Group D. Spain beat Brazil 36-28, enough for second place. The semi-finals are scheduled for today.
