The Slovenian Handball Federation (RZS) on Monday denounced the organization of the World Cup in Egypt, deemed "unworthy" after 12 of its players were victims of food poisoning the same day of the decisive match against the host country, ended by the elimination of the Slovenes.
"We can absolutely not be satisfied with the unworthy organization of this year's championship in Egypt," wrote Secretary General Goran Cvijic in a virulent statement, published the day after the draw (25-25) between the two nations which has qualified Egypt for the quarters at the expense of Slovenia.
3̶2̶ ̶t̶e̶a̶m̶s̶ ➡️ 𝟖 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒!
The best eight of the world battling for the crown!
👑 # Egypt2021 |
#GOFrance |
#GOSweden |
#GONorway |
#GOHungary |
#GOEgypt |
#GOQatar |
#GODenmark |
#GOSpain pic.twitter.com/78pfXrXqAV
- Handball Egypt2021 (@ Egypt2021EN) January 25, 2021
"Up to 12 players (!) Of our selection suffered food poisoning in the 24 hours preceding our match in Egypt," said the federation, according to which the Egyptian organizers "were not too interested" in the serious last minute problems of the Slovenes.
Center-half Stas Skube, winger Dragan Gajic and pivot Blaz Blagotinsek in particular, three key players in the selection, were unable to recover in time for this crucial match.
"The boys were screaming in pain, vomiting and rushing to the toilet as if their lives depended on it," says the RZS.
“During the night, Stas Skube and Dragan Gajic fell out of bed as, just before the match, Blaz Blagotinsek, the tallest and strongest of our men, in the locker room, lay down on the floor with heavy pains (excuse us for this precision, but in his own vomiting) and collapsed, so that he had to be brought back to the hotel ”, details the federation, very reassembled.
"The players cried out in pain"
"Outrage in the Slovenian team: the players screamed in pain," the state broadcaster RTVS headlined on its website, joining the displeasure of the RZS.
Also on its site, the private channel 24ur denounced "the shenanigans behind the scenes" of the organizers of the Worlds.
The Slovenes were staying in the same hotel as Egypt, Denmark, Sweden and most of the teams, located in central Cairo and transformed into a health bubble due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In this former 19th century palace, the teams share the same common catering area but each has its own room and buffet.
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"After the match and an official report on the state of health of the players, the Egyptian Ministry of Health contacted us," said the Slovenian Federation, which does not expect "significant changes as long as the Federation international handball (IHF) works as it does ”.
The IHF has been chaired for two decades by the Egyptian Hassan Moustafa, who has worked hard to maintain the World Cup despite the pandemic.
Euro 2020 semi-finalist Slovenia were a serious underdog for the world title in Egypt.
The host nation will face Denmark on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals.