Egypt took a significant step towards the eight-finals by sealing their second victory against Costa Rica this Saturday. Captain Hamza Elsafy is one of the key figures in this positive phase for the Egyptians and dreams of a long journey for his team in the 2023 FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship.

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"We won 3-1 in the first match against Serbia and it was a great start for us. Then we lost to USA, but we had another great match against Costa Rica" said the outside hitter who has accumulated 34 points so far in the tournament.

For Hamza, representing his country is a family matter. His parents were national team athletes, and the same goes for his brother and sister. In fact, his beginnings in sports trace back to the time he started playing volleyball due to his father and basketball due to his mother. But ultimately, it was his father's legacy that prevailed.

"Half of my family plays volleyball. My dad, my brother and my sister play it, so I started playing because of them. The other half of my family plays basketball, so I also played it, but I liked volleyball more" he recounted.

His father is none other than Hamdy Elsafy, one of Egypt's best outside hitters in history. About him, Hamza said "My dad is my idol; he played for Egypt’s national team and also internationally. To me, he's the best, and I'm very thankful to him for giving me the opportunity to play volleyball and follow in his footsteps."

Expressing gratitude is a significant part of the young athlete's routine; he also does it with his teammates after each set. It's a gesture that surprises some unsuspecting people but reflects a strong conviction within the team. "We always thank God after each game; it's part of our religion" Hamza shared.

The captain expressed satisfaction with his team's performance so far but confessed that there is still room for improvement. "I think we need more teamwork on the court and trust in each other."

Next up for Egypt is the conclusion of Pool A when they face Argentina. Regarding that match, he said, "I hope we can win against them" and quickly expressed his ultimate desire for the tournament: "I wish we can earn a medal in this World Championship. I believe we can do it, but we have to work hard and give our best in each match."

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