Al Ahly credit collective strength after beating Zamalek to win Handball Club World Cup bronze

Al Ahly’s handball chief Yasser Labib says careful preparation, squad rebuilding and stability throughout the club helped the team secure bronze at the Handball Club World Cup.

Al Ahly defeated Zamalek 30-25 in the third-place play-off to claim the medal at the tournament, which is being hosted by Egypt.

Speaking to Modern, Labib said the achievement followed a significant victory over Fuchse Berlin, adding that Al Ahly had regularly produced strong results against leading clubs because of its preparation.

“We achieved something significant, especially after beating Fuchse Berlin,” he said. “We have always been used to achieving notable results against big clubs as a result of our preparation for tournaments.”

Al Ahly lost several important players last season, leading to expectations that the team would struggle. Labib said the club responded by strengthening the squad and returning to contention.

“Many outstanding names left us last season, and everyone expected the team to collapse after their departure,” he said. “But we strengthened the squad properly, competed strongly and managed to return to the forefront again.”

Labib also emphasised the importance of the club’s wider structure, saying the success could not have been achieved without support from the administration and stability on both financial and organisational levels.

“We have an integrated system. If it had operated without the administration’s support, we would not have reached these victories,” he said. “Collective work, financial and administrative stability, a high-level coaching staff and players who understand their roles in the system well are what put you on the road to winning titles.”

Al Ahly were placed in a difficult group but had previous experience of beating Barcelona at the World Club Championship. Labib also pointed to earlier victories over major European clubs including Dinamo Zagreb and Montpellier.

“Our draw put us in a difficult group, but we had faced Barcelona before and beaten them in the world championship,” he said. “We have also achieved different victories against big clubs in the past, such as Dinamo Zagreb and Montpellier.”

The bronze-medal match was the first meeting between Al Ahly and Zamalek in the Handball Club World Cup. Labib said the result was important beyond the tournament because the teams will meet again in Africa.

“Whether we face Zamalek or any other team, our objective is the same: to win the bronze medal,” he said. “But this particular match was important because Al Ahly will face Zamalek again in Africa. The psychological and mental factors matter, especially as they have a new group of players and a new coach who are producing strong performances.”

He added that Zamalek still needed to improve its collective play, while describing stability as a key advantage for Al Ahly.

“What is missing from this Zamalek group is cohesion and teamwork,” Labib said. “Al Ahly is an integrated system, and stability at Al Ahly is an important element in the team’s success.”

The bronze medal is Al Ahly’s second in the competition, following their 2024 victory over Barcelona. They were the first non-European team to beat Barcelona in the tournament.

The match was the fourth time both clubs had competed for bronze at the Handball Club World Cup.