The Germans snatched the title of the Under 17 handball World Championship with a dramatic 44-43 win against Egypt, after overtime. It was so close
From the legacy of Egyptian ancestors to the struggle of their descendants, the story of the U-17 handball Pharaohs didn’t go as they planned, losing their dream to Germany in the World Cup final.
According to the IHF, both sides had a four-match winning streak, but Germany were leading in all statistical categories before the match and, at least on paper, it looked like they had the better depth.
“However, Egypt had heart and soul and a fiery passion to play the game. And that was confirmed in the first 30 minutes, with Germany never opening a lead bigger than two goals, despite coach Jochen Beppler continuously tinkering with his line-up to find solutions to provide a breach in Egypt’s defence,” the IHF reported on its website.
“On a night when civilisation touched the dream, the story did not end as the Egyptians had hoped… as the Egyptian junior national team under 17 years old lost the final of the World Handball Championship, which was hosted by Morocco, after a heroic match against Germany that ended with the latter winning 44-43 after thrilling extra periods,” the IHF reported.
“Amidst the echoes of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and the stones of history that bear witness to the glory of the ancestors, the descendants presented a new epic to be told to generations as the national team started the tournament with an impressive performance, topping their group after defeating respectively Brazil, USA and Morocco, the host country and its fans.
“Before achieving their most precious victory against Spain in the semi-final with a score of 31-28, the Pharaohs paved their way to the final with the determination of the Pharaohs and the spirit of warriors.
“The final match itself was dramatic and fiercely contested as both teams were tied 4-4 until the 10th minute, before Germany took the lead by a goal in the 15th minute. The Pharaohs responded strongly, taking a two-goal lead in the 22nd minute, but the Germans finished the first half ahead 18-17
“The second half saw the Egyptian spirit reignited, as the team equalised with a three-goal lead in the 12th minute. However, luck was not on their side, as Germany equalised in the final moments, sending the match into extra time after a 37-37 tie. The young Pharaohs fought hard until the very last moment, but fate smiled on the Germans by a single goal.”
The win helped Germany do the double on African soil, after they previously beat Spain in the final of the 2025 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, in Egypt, on penalties.
Despite the loss, the descendants of the Pharaohs emerged with their heads held high, having written a new chapter in the epic of Egyptian handball, and confirming that though the gold medals didn’t surround their necks, it will never be absent from the hearts that fought for it.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 November, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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