Cairo: Egypt s hopes of going far in the Handball World Cup were scattered on Sunday when they were defeated 30-29 by the Czech Republic. The Pharaohs second group game left them competing for third place when they take on Qatar in the last game. Both sides were handed defeats by the Czechs and defending champions Spain in Group D but Egypt lead on goal difference. The early exit extends Egypt s poor run in the global showpiece as they also crashed out of the 2005 tournament in Tunisia from the preliminary round. Egypt is seen as one of the World s prominent sides since finishing fourth in 2001. They were the first non-European team to reach this spot in the history of the game. Tunisia followed in 2005. Egypt were up to the challenge in the first-half, keeping pressure on their opponents and taking the initiative but Czech managed to go to the lockers with a 17-17 draw. Egypt pressed hard after the break, stretching a four-goal lead and closing on the games full points. But the Pharaohs suddenly lost rhythm to allow Czech to take control till snatching the victory with a last-minute goal. It was a carbon copy of Saturday s sad scenario when Egypt let a three-goal lead slip away against Spain to lose 33-29. Egypt now will be competing for the places from 13th to 24th.
