Egypt's hopes of securing an Olympic handball medal were dashed on Wednesday as they suffered a heartbreaking 29-28 overtime defeat to Spain in the quarterfinals of the Paris Games.
The Pharaohs dominated much of the match, showcasing impressive defensive prowess. However, a late Spanish surge forced the game into extra time, where they ultimately prevailed.
Egypt started strongly, with a relentless defense and clinical finishing. Yehia El-Deraa opened the scoring, setting the tone for a dominant first half. The African champions maintained a comfortable lead, going into the break with a 12-8 advantage.
The second half saw Egypt extend their dominance, with Ali Zein and Ahmed Adel proving instrumental in their team's success. However, Spain mounted a spirited comeback, closing the gap to just two goals with minutes remaining. A tense finish saw the game tied at 25-25, sending the match into overtime.
The extra period was a rollercoaster of emotions. Egypt equalized twice, with Hesham and El-Deraa on target. However, a crucial two-minute suspension for Egypt proved costly, allowing Spain to regain the lead. Despite Egypt's best efforts, a late penalty for Spain sealed their fate.
This defeat marks the end of Egypt's handball team's Olympic journey.
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