Egypt Olympic handball gold medal hopes over after semi-final defeat to France

Pharaohs lose 27-13 and will face either Spain or Denmark in bronze-medal match

Egypt's pivot Mohamed Mamdouh Shebib jumps to shoot during the men's semi-final handball match againt France at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. France won 27-23.

Egypt's left-back Ahmed Mohamed shoots.

Hugo Descat of Team France shoots at goal.

Dika Mem of Team France.

Egypt's left back Yehia Elderaa shoots during the men's semifinal handball match between France and Egypt of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo on August 5, 2021. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)

France's Dika Mem celebrates after scoring.

France's Nikola Karabatic, right, and Egypt's Yahia Omar challenge for the ball.

Egypt's right-back Yahia Omar shoots during the men's semifinal.

Egypt's pivot Mohamed Mamdouh Shebib shoots past France's pivot Luka Karabatic and Ludovic Fabregas.

France's centre-back Nikola Karabatic celebrates with a teammate.

Omar Elwakil of Team Egypt prays after losing.

Omar Elwakil of Team Egypt looks dejected after losing the match.

Nedim Remili of Team France challenges Omar Elwakil of Team Egypt.

It was scenes of heartbreak for the the Egyptian men’s handball team in Tokyo as their dreams of an Olympic gold medal came to an end following a semi-final defeat to France.

Despite dominating in the earliest stages, the experience and the quality of the French defence became the undoing of the Egyptians, who lost 27-23 to the Rio 2016 silver medalists.

The “Pharaohs” opened up the game in style, taking an early four-goal lead inside eight minutes, and looked set to dominate as their creative and aggressive attacking play paid off. But two-time world champions France found their rhythm as the first half progressed and pulled the game back, taking the lead for the first time just before the break. The teams went into half-time at 13-13.

The French managed to carry that momentum into the second half, taking the lead after the interval and one they would not relinquish. Their defensive line held strong against Egypt’s possession. The French goalkeeper Gerard, at times, looking completely impenetrable, saving an impressive seventeen of forty shots.

Egypt’s attack lacked the sting that they started the semi-final with, failing to make the most of the three suspensions meted out to their opponents. Meanwhile, at the other end the French consistently converted, including each of their three counter-attacking fast breaks.

France will play either Spain or Denmark in their fourth Olympic final on Saturday.

Egypt will face the other losing semi-finalist in a bronze-medal match.