As we approach the final. the last Seed remaining (Mohamed Nasr) has fallen and the Finalists this evening are (only) two Block 3rd seeds Fawzy Helmy and Ayman Nagah. But these bare statistics do not reveal the high standards of this Competition as match after match was played with so many different aspects in play and just sheer intensity. In a way we have the two most deserving contestants in the Final as Mohammed Nasr (who lost to Fawzy Helmy in the semis last night on hoop 13 final game but more of that later) had actually dropped his only other game (a block 19 pointer) to Ayman.

The first semifinal was predictable but only after the event.  The younger up and coming Yousif Yasser (son of Yasser Esmat) did not have the experience to sustain his ability through the third game and was overwhelmed in game 3.

And now the other semi: quite simply the equal of anything I have seen. Clearances from all over the Lawn by both Players again and again and again. I lost count of long 7 yard hoop runs (typically North Boundary to hoop 7) and their positional touch just become a matter of routine. But Fawzy seemed to be stronger reaching 5:3 (I think) and then 6:4. This, of course as we all know, is a deceptive lead and (by their standards) a few clearances from hoop 10 to hoop 11 opened things up and Mohamed muscled his way to 6:6. And now the final hoop with Fawzy first up from the South Boundary (no attempt to take position, just straight to the North Boundary where he could control things). I will only describe the last shot. Mohamed is bang in the middle of the jaws (and smiling momentarily to his supporters). But not for long as Fawzy jumps from the North Boundary to conclude matters. WOW. and Sherif Abdel Wahab has most, if not all on video and well worth a watch if you can find it on U-Tube and have an hour or so with nothing better to do.

Roll on the final!

Evan.