Bahrain Finish on a High with Hard-Fought Win Over Algeria

TDT | Manama
Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s national handball team wrapped up their 2025 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship campaign on a victorious note, edging past Algeria 29-26 in a hard-fought battle last night. Despite trailing 17-18 at halftime, the team mounted a strong second-half comeback, securing their place as the 29th-ranked team in the tournament.

The turning point came early in the second half when Ali Eid calmly converted a penalty to give Bahrain a 19-18 lead. From there, they never relinquished control, with Algeria staying within reach but unable to overturn the deficit. Another crucial penalty from Eid in the closing minutes extended the lead to 28-24, effectively sealing the win.

Goalkeeper Hesham Ahmed played a pivotal role in Bahrain’s victory, delivering a stellar performance that earned him the Player of the Match award. He was recognized with a prize for his efforts after the game.

Despite the win, Bahrain’s 29th-place finish marks their lowest-ever classification in six appearances at the biennial tournament. Their previous worst placement was 23rd in the 2011 and 2017 editions, both of which featured only 24 teams. This year’s competition expanded to 32 nations, making the challenge tougher.

Mohammed Habib Nasser led Bahrain’s scoring efforts with an impressive nine goals. Ali Eid followed with seven, while Qassim Qambar and Jassim Khamis contributed three goals each. Ahmed Redha and Mujtaba Al Zaimour added two apiece to round out the scoring for the victorious squad.

On the Algerian side, Zouhir Naim, Redouane Saker, Elyas Ouissane, Yannis Bouadjadja, and Bastien Jean Khermouche each netted four goals, but their efforts fell short as Algeria settled for 30th place overall.

While the tournament result may not have matched previous showings, Bahrain’s final victory ensures they conclude their campaign on a high note, with valuable lessons and experience gained for future international competitions.