Burgan faces Derb Sultan in Club World Cup finale

Burgan goalkeeper makes a save during the IHF Men’s Club World Championship match against Veszprém.

CAIRO, Sept. 30: Burgan will bid to close its historic debut at the IHF Men’s Club World Championship on a high when it faces Morocco’s Montada Derb Sultan in the seventh-place playoff in Cairo today.

The Kuwaiti side is looking to end its first appearance on the global stage with a positive result after gaining valuable experience against some of the world’s leading clubs.

Burgan finished fourth in Group B following a 44-19 defeat by Hungarian powerhouse Veszprém in their final group match. It was its third loss of the tournament, following defeats by Germany’s Füchse Berlin and Egypt’s Al Ahly.

The tournament has nevertheless provided Burgan’s players with valuable exposure to different styles of handball and high-level competition ahead of the new domestic season, which begins in October.

Burgan earned its place in the Club World Championship after winning the Asian Men’s Club League Championship in Kuwait in July. It defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej in the final to secure the club’s first-ever appearance at the global tournament.

Meanwhile, Barcelona and Veszprém will meet in today's final, while Egyptian rivals Al Ahly and Zamalek contest the bronze-medal match. Füchse Berlin and Brazil’s Pinheiros will play for fifth place.

Burgan’s coaching and administrative staff will now seek to build on the experience gained in Cairo, address the weaknesses exposed during the tournament, and carry the lessons into the new season as they look to build on their Asian triumph.

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff