Jorge Maqueda, a brave man, places Spain one step away from the medals |

The national team wins Austria (30-26) and it will be enough with a draw against Belarus to be in the European semifinals

Jorge Maqueda He is a unique player. It is not the highest, nor the fastest, nor the one that throws at the highest speed, nor the one that makes the most precise passes. But sometimes it is essential. When the opponents prevent playing, when the score is equal, when the boos of the audience rumble, it's time. Its innate and uncontrollable intensity – for the rivals and for himself – can save the most committed encounter and that happened this Saturday in the victory against Austria (30-26).

This engineering Spain, so serious and mathematical, was discovered in Vienna in the middle of an ambush, before a selection on fire, and did not know how to react. At first, he was soaked in the environment and altered his principles – with an unleashed exchange of goals – but then he understood that this way he could not secure the victory. To maintain the exaltation and, at the same time, maneuver in the game, I needed a specialist. And on the bench was Maqueda. The coach Jordi Ribera, which in past championships did not summon him and preferred the quiet Eduardo Gurbindo, he pointed out and there began his function. It was him against the world. Here, a brave.

With five almost consecutive goals between the first and second half forced the Austrian defense to open and, from there, found Adrià Figueras in the pivot to create the advantage that would be definitive. When he left the game after an unlikely exclusion, Spain already won five goals (27-22, min. 52) and had regained its defensive firmness. His momentum in attack, in addition to filling his own bag, allowed the team to concentrate back and, with it, only conceded four goals in 20 minutes.

The triumph was one more proof of the many arguments of this selection towards the medals in the European. For its veteran, Spain is not the storm that was, the years of the show were left behind, but it has many resources, either in its staff or on the board of his coach, to overcome the meetings. Next Monday, if he wins or draws against Belarus, he will be qualified for the semifinals and then he will only have to dream. If he imposes his tactical game, he will continue straight on his way to gold. If not, Maqueda will look for alternative ways.