Hong Kong Handball Team Wins Bronze, Captain and Coach Depart After Historic Victory
SingTao · 5 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's men's handball team delivered a memorable performance at the 2025-26 China Handball Super League fourth-phase finals, securing third place with a dramatic 29-28 victory over Anhui at Ma On Shan Sports Centre on Sunday. The match carried extra significance as it served as the farewell appearance for both captain Tse Wing-fai and head coach Hui Man-bong, who announced their departures after the game. Earlier on Saturday, Hong Kong had suffered a 29-41 defeat to Guangdong in the final round-robin match, finishing the group stage with three wins and four losses in fourth place.
Key Points
- Hong Kong edged past Anhui 29-28 in the bronze medal match, overturning last year's National Games defeat against the same opponents
- Goalkeeper Leung Laan-hei made 12 crucial saves including two 7-meter penalty stops, and scored an empty-net goal; Lian Run-tao led scoring with nine points
- Captain Tse Wing-fai, 32, announced retirement after 12 years with the senior team since 2014, including four to five years as captain
- Head coach Hui Man-bong revealed this was his final match leading the men's team; he will become the association's training director while Kim Andreas Ekdahl Du Rietz takes over as new head coach
- Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau Director Lo Shuk-fai attended the match and praised the team's fighting spirit throughout the year
Why It Matters
The bronze medal victory marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong handball, as the team had struggled against Anhui in previous encounters including last year's National Games. The departures of both Tse and Hui signal an end of an era, with new leadership poised to guide a new generation of players. The team's success in attracting young fans and families to the venue also highlights the sport's growing appeal in Hong Kong, providing a foundation for future development .
The bronze medal victory marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong handball, as the team had struggled against Anhui in previous encounters including last year's National Games. The departures of both Tse and Hui signal an end of an era, with new leadership poised to guide a new generation of players. The team's success in attracting young fans and families to the venue also highlights the sport's growing appeal in Hong Kong, providing a foundation for future development .