The Men’s and Women’s African Handball Championships started today in Egypt. The men’s competition consists of 12 teams and is divided into 3 groups. The Women’s competition features 8 teams divided into 2 groups. Three teams from each competition will qualify for the 2011 World Championships.

In the Men’s tournament Egypt and Tunisia will be favored to qualify, while a number of teams will be contenders for the 3rd spot. In the Women’s tournament Angola will be expected to dominate while the other teams will scramble for the 2nd and 3rd spots.

As a side note, Algeria’s delegation was given a warm welcome upon their arrival in Cairo. Security concerns as a result of riots following a soccer World Cup Qualifier between the two rivals had prompted Egypt to initially withdraw from hosting the tournament. This Egypthandball.com report includes photos showing that they were greeted with flowers: http://www.egypthandball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=739:2010-02-11-02-23-54&catid=932:egypt&Itemid=67

THN (6 Dec 09): Egypt reverses decision: Will host African Championships after all: http://teamhandballnews.com/news.php?item.898

African Handball Championships Official Website: http://www.handball2010.com/2010/index.php?pg=hb5

Results for Thursday, 11 February

Men

Group A (Suez)
Democratic Republic of Congo – Nigeria 27-27
Tunisia – Libya 43-24

Group B (Cairo)
Angola – Cameroon 25-22
Egypt – Gabon 27-21

Group C (Cairo)
Algeria – Cote d’Ivoire 29-11
Morocco – Congo 27-24

Women

Group A (Cairo)
Cote d’Ivoire – Algeria 22-19
Tunisia – Cameroon 25-19

Group B (Suez)
Congo – Democratic Republic of Congo 37-31
Angola – Egypt 32-21