Egypt and Greece met in a tight handball contest at the Mediterranean Games on Sunday, with the hosts prevailing 31-29 after a hard-fought match. The result extends Egypt's perfect record in the tournament to three wins from three games, putting them at the top of the table with nine points. Greece remain level on points at first place but carry one defeat to their name, sitting two points behind their opponents.
And here's the thing about these Mediterranean Games — winning the opening fixture doesn't guarantee comfort. Egypt had already beaten Kosovo 42-21 and Italy 25-22 before facing Greece, but by then the opposition had tightened. Greece, meanwhile, had dropped a point against Algeria in a 26-26 draw and were looking to close the gap at the summit.
To be fair, Egypt's recent results show a team finding its rhythm. They started with a heavy win over Kosovo, followed by a tighter victory against Italy, then defeated Portugal 27-25 in their last outing before this match. The progression suggests they're adjusting to the tournament's demands rather than coasting on early dominance.
Greece's campaign has been more uneven. They beat Cyprus 39-24 and Portugal 32-30, but that draw with Algeria showed vulnerability. Against Egypt, they matched the hosts for much of the contest, only to lose by two goals — a margin that could have gone either way.
By then, both teams knew the standings would shift depending on how the final round played out. Egypt's three-point advantage gives them breathing room, but Greece remain in contention. The result means Egypt can look ahead to their next match with confidence, while Greece must regroup and find consistency before the tournament concludes.