Bahrain handball league semi-finals get underway tonight

TDT | Manama

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Barbar will aim to spring an upset when they face defending champions Al Najma in the Golden Square semi-finals of the 2025–26 Khalid Bin Hamad Bahrain Handball League, with the best-of-three series beginning tonight at Khalifa Sports City.

Najma enter the tie as clear favourites after topping the regular season standings with 56 points, finishing ahead of all challengers and asserting their dominance with two wins over Barbar during the campaign. Their consistency across the season has reinforced their status as the team to beat as they continue their bid to defend the title.

Barbar, meanwhile, finished fourth in the table with 46 points from 13 wins and seven defeats, but head into the semi-finals determined to overturn the odds. Despite losing both league meetings against Najma, Barbar will look to reset in a knockout environment where form can often shift under pressure, especially in a short best-of-three series.

The other semi-final promises to be just as competitive, with Al Shabab taking on Al Ahli in a closely matched contest. Shabab secured second place with 55 points after an impressive campaign featuring 17 wins, one draw, and just two defeats, while Al Ahli finished close behind in third on 54 points with 17 victories and three losses, setting up a near-even clash for a place in the final. The series begins with a double-header today, as Al Najma face Barbar at 5:30pm followed by Al Shabab against Al Ahli at 7:30pm.

The second round of fixtures will be played on Thursday, with a potential decider scheduled for Saturday if required. All matches will take place at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, where the race for a place in the final is set to intensify.