Bahrainis bow to Danes in world championship opener

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain suffered a tough 20-34 loss to Denmark last night in their opening match of the 27th IHF World Men’s Handball Championship, being held in Egypt.

Denmark enjoyed a comfortable 19-10 lead at the half and extended their advantage over the final 30 minutes, en route to closing out the convincing result. The Bahrainis tried hard to make a significant challenge but the European powerhouses showed why they are the defending world champions.

Denmark right back Mathias Gidsel was named the Player of the Match. The game was the first for both teams in Group D of the tournament’s preliminary round.

Bahrain will be hoping to bounce back from this setback when they take on South American champions Argentina tomorrow, scheduled for an 8 pm throw-off.

Denmark will be looking to maintain their winning ways when they face DR Congo later the same night. The Argentinians were 28- 22 victors over Congo in yesterday’s other Group D game. Bahrain is in Cairo with a 20-player squad.

They are coached by Icelandic tactician Halldor Johann Sigfusson.

The team includes Hussain Al Sayyad, Mohammed Mirza, Jassim Al Salatna, Ali Mirza, Mohammed Abdulhussain, Mohammed Habib, Mohammed Abdulredha, Ali Eid, Hassan Al Samahiji, Hassan Shehab, Ahmed Al Maqabi, Ali Abdulqader, Mahdi Saad, Qassim Al Shuwaikh, Hussain Mahfouz, Komail Mahfouz, Mohammed Habib, Abdulla Ali, Ahmed Jalal and Qassem Qambar.

This year’s world championship marks the fourth appearance for the national team in the premier International Handball Federation (IHF) tournament.

Bahrain had also made it to 2011, 2017 and 2019 editions. Their best finish was 20th in 2019, after previously finishing 23rd both times in 2011 and 2017.