Ali Zain sets sights on World Championship medal with Egypt after Veszprem triumph

Ali Zain says Veszprem’s Handball Club World Cup success can provide momentum as Egypt target a medal at the World Championship.

The Hungarian side defeated Barcelona 42-33 to win the title, with Egypt international Zain among the players celebrating the victory.

“The Handball Club World Cup is a very important competition, and hopefully we can help the national team at the World Championship,” Zain told On Sport.

“We have to take each match as it comes, but we have been thinking about winning a medal for a long time. The supporters trust the team and we will give everything we have to achieve that.”

The final also featured Veszprem’s Yahia El-Deraa, who helped the club secure the trophy. His brother, Seif El-Deraa, played for Barcelona.

Veszprem’s squad includes four Egyptian players: Yahia El-Deraa, Ahmed Hesham “Dodo”, Ali Zain and Ahmed Adel “Dola”. The team is managed by Spanish coach Javier Pascual, who also coaches the Egypt national team.

The victory was Veszprem’s second Handball Club World Cup title. Their first came in 2024, when Yahia El-Deraa was also part of the squad and the only Egyptian player at the club.

Barcelona won the competition in 2025 under the leadership of Seif El-Deraa. Although he was not the captain at the time, his team-mates asked him to lift the trophy because the tournament was being held in Egypt.

This time, Yahia El-Deraa will raise the trophy as Veszprem captain.

Veszprem goalkeeper Emil Nielsen was named player of the match. The Denmark international previously played for Barcelona before moving to Veszprem.

Veszprem’s Hugo Descat was the game’s leading scorer, finishing with 10 goals.

The final result completed the tournament’s top four. Veszprem took gold, Barcelona won the silver medal, Al Ahly claimed bronze and Zamalek finished fourth.