Egypt’s Al Ahly handball team secured the bronze medal at the 2023 IHF Men's Super Globe (Handball Club World Cup) after a thrilling 32-29 victory against Spain’s FC Barcelona. The tournament, hosted in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, saw Al Ahly make an impressive run, culminating in their third-place finish.
This was the second encounter between Al Ahly and Barcelona in this year’s tournament. In the group stage, the Egyptian side fell to the Spanish giants with a 31-23 loss. However, Al Ahly bounced back in the bronze-medal match, overcoming the European powerhouse to claim a spot on the podium.
In their semifinal clash, Al Ahly faced Germany’s SC Magdeburg, where they were narrowly defeated 28-24. Magdeburg’s victory advanced them to the final against Hungary’s Veszprém, a team featuring former Zamalek star Yahia El-Deraa, with the final set to determine the tournament champion.
Al Ahly reached the semifinals by finishing as the best second-place team in their group, despite their earlier loss to Barcelona. They had opened the tournament in dominant fashion, securing a resounding 49-15 win against Australia's University of Sydney.
The tournament also featured a cultural experience for the participating teams, with Monday serving as a rest day from competition. The event organizers arranged a sightseeing tour around the New Administrative Capital, allowing the teams to visit landmarks such as the Cathedral and Al Masa Square, followed by lunch and a commemorative photo session.
This bronze medal win is a significant achievement for Al Ahly as they continue to establish themselves as a force in international handball, proving their resilience by avenging their earlier loss to Barcelona and claiming a prestigious podium finish on home soil.
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