Elsayed Moussa Saad Moussa steered Egypt to a hard-fought bronze medal in males’s sitting volleyball on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games, overcoming Germany 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-10) in an exciting encounter on Friday on the North Paris Enviornment.
This victory marked Egypt’s second Paralympic bronze, their first coming in Rio 2016, whereas Germany, having claimed bronze twice earlier than in Barcelona 1992 and London 2012, fell simply wanting the rostrum this time.
The match noticed Saad Moussa take centre stage, delivering a match-high 19 factors, together with 16 assaults, two blocks, and an ace, proving pivotal in Egypt’s triumph. His efforts have been supported by 4 different Egyptian gamers contributing double-digit scores: Hesham Elshwikh tallied 14 factors, whereas Ahmed Mohamed Soliman Khamis and Metawa Abouelkhir added 13 every, and Mohamed Abouelyazeid chipped in with 12. On the German aspect, Dominik Albrecht led the best way with 17 factors, supported by Heiko Wiesenthal with 14 and Thomas Renger with 10.
Statistically, Egypt outpaced Germany in key offensive classes, main in assaults (65-53) and aces (7-3), whereas Germany demonstrated a stronger defensive presence on the internet with 13 blocks to Egypt’s eight. Nevertheless, it was Egypt’s sharper execution in assault and repair that proved decisive because the match unfolded.
The competition started with each groups struggling to search out their rhythm, as errors dominated the early exchanges, leading to a 3-3 tie. Germany briefly gained the higher hand after Egypt’s errors, however the first clear assaults from Khamis and Juergen Schrapp signalled a shift. The groups remained locked in a decent battle till 18-18, when a spate of German errors allowed Egypt to edge forward. Abouelkhir and Saad Moussa took benefit, pushing Egypt to a 24-21 lead earlier than the latter sealed the set with a fierce spike, securing a 25-22 victory for Egypt within the first set.
Germany responded within the second set, with Albrecht and Renger main an early surge. Though Egypt mounted a short scoring run to go forward 14-10, Germany capitalised on Egyptian errors to carry the rating again to 18-18. The depth remained excessive, with neither staff in a position to set up a commanding lead. Within the ultimate moments, Albrecht and Wiesenthal’s scientific assaults gave Germany the sting, permitting them to scrape a 25-23 win and degree the match at one set apiece.
The third set adopted an identical sample of tight exchanges, with Egypt leaping to an early 6-3 lead due to Albrecht’s sturdy assaults. Germany appeared in management, however a collection of pricey errors allowed Egypt to catch up and degree the rating at 14-14. From that time, Khamis and Saad Moussa took command, bombarding the German blockers with highly effective assaults. A late German rally, led by Schiffler and Tonleu, introduced the set to a nail-biting 23-23 tie. Nevertheless, Abouelyazeid’s decisive swing gave Egypt set level, and a German setting error handed Egypt the set 25-23, placing them again in entrance.
Germany, undeterred, got here out firing within the fourth set, racing to a 4-0 lead with Tonleu and Albrecht spearheading their assault. Though Egypt fought again to shut the hole, Germany maintained their grip on the set, main 19-14 at one stage. But, as had been the case all through the match, Egypt refused to again down. They mounted an exciting comeback, decreasing the deficit to only one level at 23-22. Renger’s fast considering on the internet gave Germany some respiration room at 24-22, however Abouelyazeid’s relentless assault stored Egypt inside attain. Lastly, Schiffler’s spike clinched the set for Germany, 25-23, forcing a fifth and ultimate set.
The deciding set was each bit as tense because the earlier ones, with each groups battling for each level. Nevertheless, it was Egypt who discovered their rhythm first, with Ashraf Zaghloul Abdelaziz Abdalla making a vital influence, serving to his staff to a 10-5 lead. Germany struggled to regain their momentum, and as Egypt’s assault continued to achieve steam, Saad Moussa stepped up as soon as once more, delivering the ultimate blow with a robust strike to safe a 15-10 win and Egypt’s well-earned bronze medal.
Photograph: WPV/Sinisa Kanizaj.
