BAHRAIN bowed to Spain 23-33 in their opening group ‘B’ game of the 26th International Handball Federation (IHF) Men’s World Championship, being jointly hosted by Denmark and Germany.
The Spaniards led 16-11 at the half but the Bahrainis put on a spirited performance in the final 30-minute period. They had stayed within four goals for much of the period and never stopped fighting, but their rivals were just too good and pulled away in the end.
Skipper Hussain Al Sayyad and Mohammed Habib scored seven goals apiece to lead Bahrain, while Player of the Match Ferran Sole Sala led Spain with his own seven goals.
Bahrain will be looking to bounce back in their next assignment of the preliminary round scheduled tomorrow against Macedonia, who beat Japan 38-29 in another group ‘B’ clash yesterday.
RESULTS
Group ‘A’: Russia tie Serbia 30-30; France bt Brazil 24-22
Group ‘B’: Macedonia bt Japan 38-29; Croatia bt Iceland 31-27; Spain bt Bahrain 33-23
Group ‘C’: Austria bt Saudi Arabia 29-22; Norway bt Tunisia 34-24
Group ‘D’: Angola bt Qatar 24-23; Argentina tie Hungary 25-25; Sweden bt Egypt 27-24
TODAY’S FIXTURES
Group ‘A’: 5.30pm, Korea vs Russia; 8.15pm, Brazil vs Germany; 10.30pm, Serbia vs France
Group ‘C’: 5pm, Chile vs Austria; 7.30pm, Norway vs Saudi Arabia; 10.15pm, Tunisia vs Denmark