Egypt beat Kosovo 42:21 at the Mediterranean Games on Monday, a result that settles the table before the final round of matches. The hosts had gone unbeaten through three games but were unable to match the visitors, who finished third period with a comfortable lead.
That scoreline means Egypt take top spot with nine points from three wins, while Kosovo drop to fourth with zero points despite their three draws. It is the sort of margin that tells you where the gap lies, and by then neither side had much left to prove.
Kosovo have not lost a game yet, but they have not won one either, and the draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina twice in March has not been enough to push them higher. They beat the United Kingdom at home in October but then lost to them abroad, and the pattern has not changed.
Egypt are running out of games and they know it — three straight wins, including a 38:27 victory over Portugal on Sunday, and they have not dropped a point all tournament. Their away form has been steadier than at home, and the 37:24 win over Tunisia in January set the tone.
The recent record suggests Egypt had the edge before kickoff. They lost narrowly to Iceland in May and to Germany in March, but those defeats came against teams that are punching above their weight in this competition.
There is no value left at a number like 42:21 when you are looking for a story, but the standings tell you everything you need to know. Egypt finish first, Kosovo fourth, and the remaining matches will not change much.