Tokyo: Bahrain’s handball team made history yesterday after they qualified for the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics – in their first ever appearance in the global sporting event.
Bahrain, Portugal and Japan finished fourth in Group B on two points each, but Bahrain progressed into the last eight on a better goal difference.
In yesterday’s match, Bahrain suffered their fourth defeat in five matches, losing 20-30 to Egypt.
Japan’s win over Portugal 31-30 meant that the two teams were eliminated.
Bahrain will take on France in their quarter-final match tomorrow.
“Bahrain play a different kind of handball. They’re very efficient and they almost won against Sweden, who are the second best team in the world,” France’s Nikola Karabatic said.
“So we know it’s going to be a tough game.”
Mohammed Habib Madan scored four goals for Bahrain, followed by Mohammed Habib Nasser with three goals, Hassan Al Samahiji (two goals), Hussein Al Sayyad (two goals), Ahmed Jalal (two goals), Ahmed Al Maqabi (two goals) and Ali Eid (two goals). Ali Mirza, Mohammed Abdulreza and Hassan Mirza scored a goal each.
Meanwhile, defending Olympic champions Denmark finished as Group B winners despite crashing to a shock 33-30 loss to Sweden in the men’s handball competition at the Yoyogi National Stadium on Sunday and will face Norway in the quarter-finals.
In a rematch of their world championship final this year which the Danes won for their second straight title, it was Sweden who dictated terms as Jonathan Carlsbogard and Lukas Sandell scored six goals each to earn a measure of revenge.
The defeat ended Denmark’s perfect record in Tokyo as they finished with eight points after four victories from their five matches, level on points with second-placed Egypt and third-placed Sweden.
Spain will face Sweden in the quarter-finals on Tuesday after the European champions finished second behind France in Group A with eight points after a 36-27 victory over winless Argentina earlier on Sunday.
“Now we’re at the place we wanted to be,” Spain goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas said.
“Of course the next step is going to be tougher than the group phase but we’re confident and over the last five years we have created a great team spirit.
“We know how to win at key moments and we’re looking forward to the quarter-finals.”
Rio 2016 runners-up France also ended their group campaign with eight points after a 32-29 defeat at the hands of Norway
&uuid=(email))