CAIRO, January 29, 2021 - Four-time champions Sweden defeated Asian giants Qatar 35-23 to make it to the semi-finals of the IHF World Championships in Cairo on Wednesday. At the Cairo Stadium Hall, the Swedes asserted their dominance early on, but not before Qatar kept things square for around 15 minutes before the European side ran away, taking a 14:10 lead into the second period.

Qatar fell apart in the second period, allowing in 21 goals while scoring only 13 as Frankis Marzo - still tournament top scorer - failed to reach the heights he has over the past few matches although he did score five goals. The Swedes had Lukas Pellas and Valter Chrintz both on eight goals come the final whistle.

Player of the match was chosen as keeper Andreas Palicka, who made a number of fine saves throughout. Sweden will now contest the semifinal, while Qatar stand to get a 5th-8th place. Earlier, defending world champions Denmark needed a double extra-time and a penalty shoot-out to beat host nation Egypt in a highly dramatic and entertaining match.

For the European giants, it was the seventh victory in as many matches at the 27th World Championship, and by far the most difficult one. Yet, they ultimately won and will meet Spain in the semi-finals.

Egypt took the lead for a vast portion of the first period, with Denmark only taking the front foot on 18 minutes as both sides spent some time with horns locked in a draw. The Danes eventually broke away with the lead towards the end of the first 30 minutes. Egypt's Mohamed El Tayar had a number of saves his team can thank him for while Denmark's Magnus Saugstrup put on an exemplary show, firing in five goals. The period ended with a score of 16:13 to the Danes' favour.

The second period saw an fiery opening 10 minutes, with Egypt clawing back and regaining the lead as both sides attempted to gain the upper hand, with some of the period spent by Denmark playing catch up as Egypt held on to their slender lead.

With the final five minutes of the match, Denmark took the lead for the final time through Anders Zachariassen while Egypt kept themselves in the match by drawing level several times, succeeding in doing so in the final seconds while also missing a final second chance to take the win. The period ended 28:28.

Denmark took control of the first two extra time periods, keeping the difference at two goals for much of it with Egypt limited to sneaking in consolations. A final 7m throw converted by Sanad gave the Egyptians the draw that took them to the second two periods. Denmark's Mikkel Hansen was sent off for time wasting.

Egypt's Ibrahim El Masry was sent off too in the fourth period of extra time, shortly before El Tayar conceded Magnus Landin scored a final second 7m throw. A penalty throw-off ensued, with Egypt missing two shots to Denmark's one, giving the latter the advantage.