The President’s Cup final contains two continents, as Egypt and Korea have won their opening matches in the President’s Cup and meet for the final on Monday.

President’s Cup, match day 1:

Group I:

Egypt – Japan 34:28 (17:14)

The Egyptians needed some time to cope with the speedful match play of the Japanese, but after the 8:8 they had found their pace and extended the gap to 12:8 and 17:12 right before the break. Even as Egypt had gone away to a six goal distance twice, Japan was strong enough to close the gap again in the middle of the second half. But by extending the lead from 27:24 to 32:26 the Northern Africans decided the match and reached the final, which will be played on Monday in Skövde. Top scorers were Belal Mabrouk (8 goals for Egypt) and Makuoto Suematsu with seven goals for Japan.

Algeria – Korea 24:29 after extra time (12:17, 23:23)

The Asian took the control very early, as their defense was much better than the Algerian one. As aside the Korean attackers coped quite well with the offensive Algerian defense the gap was big very quick. 15 minutes before the end the game seemed to be pre-decided at the score of 22:16 for Korea though the Algerian goalkeeper again saved brilliant. But ten minutes before the end the game turned, when two Koreans were out due to suspensions. Algeria reduced to 20:22 – and the tension rose again. Specially as the Algerians equalized at the 22:22 and only 90 seconds to play. Even the 23:22 wasn’t enough for the Koreans, as Algeria equalized with the final whistle – the extra time had to bring the decision of the second finalist of the President’s Cup. And Korea started with a 3:0 series in the first half of the extra time. Two minutes before the end the game was decided when Korea scored the 28:23, their fifth consecutive goal.

Group II:

Austria and Slovakia play for the 17 and 18 places, Tunisia and Romania meet for the places 19 and 20 on Sunday.

Tunisia – Austria 25:26 (14:12)

The starting period was a roller coaster: After Tunisia led 6:1, Austria returned, but then was overrun by the Northern Africans again. By scoring twice right before the break the Europeans reduced to 12:14.But seven minutes before the end Tunisia had extended the lead, before the great seven minutes of Robert Weber started. By scoring four of his in total six goals in this time he turned the game. Even as Tunisia led 25:24 50 seconds before the double strike of Weber decided the game. Kamel Allouini was Tunisian top scorer with six goals, too.

Romania – Slovakia 33:38 (19:22)

The first victory in Sweden for Slovakia: The spectators saw a high class game and 71 goals in this European duel. After some weak performances in the Preliminary Round Slovakia started well prepared on their opponent – and was in lead nearly the whole first half. As both sides had problems in defense the number of goals even at the break was very high. After a clear Slovak lead the Romanians equalized at the score of 17:17 thanks to three straight goals, but then Slovakia again went on to a three goals difference at the break. In the starting period of the second half Slovakia improved again, but two suspensions at nearly the same time against the Slovaks brought Romania back on track. In the last 14 minutes Romania couldn’t endanger the Slovaks anymore, the distance remained constantly at four to six goals.

Group III:

Australia – Chile 21:29 (6:17)

The game was decided very early, as the Chileans were the clear better team – and Australia didn’t have the individual and tactical class to stop the Southern Americans. Again led by shooter Emil Feuchtmann Chile led 6:0 (including four Feuchtmann goals) and extended the distance easily to 17:6 at the break – their first ever victory at a World Championship was safe and secured right after 30 minutes. But in the second half Australia improved especially in defense and reduced the gap goal by goal. In the end they had won the second half 15:12 – a small success for the Aussies that will play for the ranks 23 and 24 on Sunday, as Chile fight for 21 and 22 place. Top scorers of the match were Joshua Parmenter (6 goals for Australia) and Rodrigo Salinas Munoz with five for Chile.

The last game of the President’s Cup group III Bahrain – Brazil will be played later.

Photos by Axel Heimken

•