The opening ceremony of the 17th African Handball Cup of Nations championship, scheduled for 10-20 January, will be held today Monday, the 9th of January in Tunisia.

Tunisia, Egypt, Angola, Algeria, Cameroon, Morocco, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Côte d'ivoire, Nigeria, and Gabon will compete in the men's division.

While Tunisia, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d'ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Algeria, Gabon, Senegal, and Tanzania will compete for the women's title.

Spain won the Handball World Championships in Tunisia on Sunday after a great victory over defending champions Croatia 40-34. The Spaniards outplayed the Croatians throughout the final. The win ensured a first major title in the history of Spanish handball.
As for France, it came in third place and Tunisia in fourth and last place.

If only we had beaten Spain I think we would still be in the tournament fighting for the medals. But we have a young team and the lack of experience is sometimes painfully evident. And I can accept that. But I can NOT accept the fact that we lost against Norway and the fact that we never showed any heart and proud for the country.

It's so typically Swedes. Just playing for themselves and their own career. Right now I feel ashamed.

Go Serbia/Montenegro and Croatia, and everybody else for that matter. You love your country.

- By Alexander

Here is the second round results of Tunisia WCH 2005:

Group 1

03/02/2005 France 26 - 26 Slovenia
03/02/2005 Tunisia 35 - 24 Russia
03/02/2005 Greece 29 - 31 Czech Republic
01/02/2005 Greece 29 - 24 Russia
01/02/2005 Tunisia 26 - 26 Slovenia
01/02/2005 France 31 - 26 Czech Republic
31/01/2005 Russia 22 - 25 France
31/01/2005 Tunisia 36 - 25 Czech Republic
31/01/2005 Slovenia 37 - 29 Greece

GROUP A:

Tunisia and Greece drew 27-27 in their final match while France dominated Denmark 32-26 to reach the second phase. Hosts Tunisia finish first and will go in the main round with 2 points (two draws against France and Greece). Greece are second but will go through with 3 points having won against France and drawn against Tunisia.

GROUP B:

Czech Republic pocketed their ticket with an easy 33-22 victory against Kuwait while Iceland recorded a useless 34-25 win over Algeria. Having won against Slovenia, the Czech go through with 2 points. Slovenia are through, but they will face a tough challenge coming into the main round with no point. Russia continued their perfect run with a 5th straight win over Slovenia and will go through with a maximum of 4 points.

GROUP C:

Everything was already set in this Group with Croatia, Spain and Sweden already qualified. Croatia edged Sweden 28-27 to go up with 4 points while Spain are through with 2 and Sweden with none.

Group A

25/01/2005 *Greece 20 - 19 *France
23/01/2005 *Denmark 27 - 23 *Greece
23/01/2005 *France 44 - 16 *Canada
23/01/2005 *Tunisia 39 - 23 *Angola

Group B

25/01/2005 *Kuwait 11 - 38 *Russia
23/01/2005 *Slovenia 34 - 17 *Kuwait
23/01/2005 *Russia 28 - 22 *Algeria
23/01/2005 *Czech republic 34 - 34 *Iceland

Here are the results of the 1st Round of the Handball World Championship 2005:

Group A

23/01/2005 *France 44 - 16 *Canada »
23/01/2005 *Tunisia 39 - 23 *Angola »

Group B

23/01/2005 *Russia 28 - 22 *Algeria »

Tunisia is getting ready to welcome the Handball World Cup 2005 as they did for last African Football Cup of Nations in 2004. Mr Kamel Idir, the general coordinator of the organization committee declared that after the African Nation cup 2004, they wanted wanted this event to be one more a big feast

It's only the second time an African country is holding a World Championship after Egypt in 1999.

The 16 best teams in the world converge on three cities as Tunisia hosts the handball world championships. Ten venues - including two brand new arenas - will see action in a country with a long handball history.

In Group A : Denmark, France, Greece, Angola, Canada and hosting country Tunisia will play in Rades (Tunis)

In Group B : Slovenia, Russia, Czech Republic, Kuwait, Iceland and Algeria will play in El Menzah (Tunis)

In Group C: Olympic and world title holders Croatia, Sweden, Spain, Argentina, Japan and Australia will play in Sfax (East coast)

In Group D: Germany, Serbia Montenegro, Norway, Egypt, Brazil and Quatar will play in Sousse (East coast)