Kuwaitis defend as an opponent makes a goal attempt.

KUWAIT CITY, May 10: The curtain falls tonight on the 10th Arab Handball Cup for Men, as the highly anticipated final takes place at 7:00 PM at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex. The decisive clash will feature Qatar taking on Bahrain, with the Qatari "Annabi" team aiming to claim their first-ever Arab Cup title, while the Bahraini "Reds" look to secure their second championship win.

Prior to the final, the third-place match will be held between host nation Kuwait and Egypt, who both fell short in the semi-finals.

The championship, which began on May 5, featured nine participating teams, divided into three groups. The top teams from each group and the best-performing runner-up advanced to the semi-finals.

In the semi-final matches, Qatar defeated Egypt 25–19 to book their place in the final, while Bahrain overcame a determined Kuwaiti side 29–24 to advance.

In the classification matches for 5th–9th place:

The Tunisian "Carthage Eagles" beat the Moroccan "Atlas Lions" 35–32.

The Saudi "Green" topped the Iraqi "Lions of Mesopotamia" 25–20.

This is the 10th edition of the Arab Championship. Here's the golden rule:

Egypt: 2 titles (1975, 1977)

Kuwait: 2 titles (1979, 1988)

Tunisia: 2 titles (1986, 1993)

Saudi Arabia: 1 title (1998)

Algeria: 1 title (2000)

Bahrain: 1 title (2002 – the last edition before the current revival)

Nabil Ashour, President of the UAE Handball Federation, extended heartfelt thanks to the State of Kuwait, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti government, sports leaders, and the Kuwait Handball Federation for their excellent organization of the tournament.

He said, “We are thrilled to witness the return of the Arab Championship after 23 years. It was a tournament of outstanding technical level and flawless organization.”

“From the first day, we felt the warmth, love, and generosity of our Kuwaiti brothers. This tournament brought Arab nations closer together in a land known for its friendship and peace.”

He concluded by saying that the championship’s success will serve as a solid foundation for Kuwait’s hosting of the 22nd Asian Championship in January 2026, which will also act as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.