HANDBALL – Defending champions Al Najma and title contenders Al Shabab both claimed big victories last night in the 21st and penultimate gameweek of the 2025-26 Khalid Bin Hamad Bahrain Handball League.
Najma powered to a resounding 34-22 victory over Tubli while Shabab outclassed Al Ettifaq 44-34.
Both contests were played at the Bahrain Handball Federation Arena in Um Al Hassam Sports Complex, with no fans in attendance.
Najma held a comfortable 15-7 lead at the break and cruised after the re-start en route to sealing their 17th win in 19 tries.
They cemented their hold on the number one seed ahead of the Golden Square semi-finals, improving to 55 points atop the table with one fixture remaining in their regular season campaign.
Najma handed Tubli their 11th defeat as they went to 34 points in the bottom half of the standings.
Meanwhile, Shabab were just as good in their double-digit victory against Ettifaq.
They held a 23-15 advantage at the break and didn’t let up over the final 30 minutes.
Like Najma, Shabab improved to 55 points but have already completed their schedule and now await the semis.
Ettifaq, on the other hand, lost for the 15th time as they moved to 27 points in third-from-last place.
Round 21 of league play wraps up this evening with another two games at the same venue.
At 5.30pm, Al Ahli, third on the table and also already qualified for the Golden Square, face off with Samaheej, to be followed at 7.15pm by Al Dair battling Al Ettihad.
The Khalid bin Hamad Bahrain Handball League’s regular season is set to conclude with gameweek 22.
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