One former World Champion and a debutant complete the Main Round of the World Championship: Germany beat Tunisia in the decisive match of group A and Argentina took the points against their neighbor Chile to secure their first ever  qualification for the best 12 teams.  Aside Bahrain won their first ever World Championship match in handball history.

Group A:

Egypt – Bahrain 26:27 (16:15)

Historic day for Bahrain handball: The team from the Gulf Region took their first ever points at a World Championship after a impressive catch-up chase in the final minutes, as Egypt showed a disappointing performance. Despite this victory Bahrain remain sixth in this group due to the worse goal difference compared to Tunisia and Egypt. Egypt ranks fifth in the end below Tunisia and play for the places 17 to 20, their opponent go to the round 21 to 24. Bahrain showed their best performance in this World Championship in the duel of the Continental runners-up from Asia and Africa. As Egypt wasn’t highly motivated after missing the Main Round before the match Bahrain had the chance to imprint this game. The fir4st half was absolutely close with small advantages for the Egyptians who started with a 7:4. The first 14 minutes of the second half were poor in goals, as each team scored only twice.  Egypt was in lead until minute 57, when the result was 26:24. But by missing tow many chances against the strong Bahrain goalkeeper the Africans gave the match from their hands. Alsayyad first reduced to 26:25, then Egypt lost the ball, Alfardan equalize by fast break two minutes before the final whistle. After a great Bahrain save Alsayyad scored his ninth individual goal and brought the lead to Bahrain. Even an Egyptian time-out could not bring the team of Uwe Lommel to the winner’s way. They missed their last shot five seconds before the end – and Bahrain celebrated a great day of handball.

Germany – Tunisia 36:26 (15:12)

After two straight defeats against Spain and France, including a very poor performance against the reigning champion, Germany took the important points against Tunisia thanks to an improvement in the second half.  Due to their third victory they qualified – as expected – for the Main Round.  The Northern Africans took the fourth place in this group and play for the place 13 to 16 in the President’s Cup. After Tunisia had led in the very beginning the initially very nervous Germans turned the game in the middle of the first half. And even as Tunisia could close the gap a little right after the break, the Germans decided the game with an 11:2 series to 27:17 in minute 44. Like before, Tunisia wasn’t able to stand the physical strength of their opponent, especially after playmaker Megannem had to be substituted. Aside the German goalkeeper Johannes Bitter played brilliant again. In the end the Germans didn’t have any problems to take a very clear victory – but they start with a burden of 0:4 points in the Main Round.

Group C:

Algeria – Australia 27:18 (12:11)

By beating the Australians Algeria reached the fourth place in their group and play for the places 13 to 16, which is more than they had expected before. Without a point from their Preliminary Round matches the Aussies finish last and go for the places 21 to 24. More than 4000 spectators from all over the world stood as one behind the Australian team in Malmö– and gave support to help the Aussies for their first victory. Every action was cheered, a great motivation for the team from Oceania. Both teams were equal in the first 40 minutes, as the Australians showed a strong defense performance against the favoured team from Algeria. Counting on the great saves of goalkeeper Pascal Winkler the Aussies played their best match in this tournament, as they forced Algeria to cause mistakes in attack. By a higher shot efficiency they would have even taken the lead, but they missed too many chances. Right after the break they equalized for the first time at the score of 14:14, but then Algeria improved in attack and extended the gap quickly to 18:15. When the Aussies lost their concentration and Algeria had better individual means in attack the distance rose. Nine minutes before the end the Algerians had secured their second victory at least at the score of 23:16. But Australian Tommy Fletcher was man of the match with six goals.

Group D:

Argentina – Chile 35:25 (15:13)

Another premiere in international handball: For the first time ever a team from Argentina has reached the Main Round of a Men’s World Championship. Thanks to their third victory the Gauchos secured their qualification and take 2:2 with them. Chile remains on the sixth place below Slovakia (equal in points but better goal difference). The brave Argentines were absolutely willing to win this match, but Chile was initially a strong opponent. And maybe Argentina had some psychological problems in being the favourite for the first time in this tournament as everybody expected them to win after beating Slovakia and Sweden. But against their South American neighbor they weren’t as strong as before – and the first 30 minutes were on eye level. But by increasing he speed and the lead right after the break to 18:13 they paved the way for the greatest success of Argentine handball ever.  By leading 22:15 some minutes the later the dream was going to come true. Even when Chile reduced to 20:26, Argentina had the right means to increase the distance again to decisive 31:21 in minute 52 – and after the final whistle they really went emotional. And the Gaucho’s way hasn’t come to an end now.