Great debut of the Cikusas with the Spanish team
MADRID, 2 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men’s handball team beat the Netherlands (39-28) this Thursday in the first match of the Golden League, held at the Sotra Arena in Bergen (Norway).
Spain, which will face Denmark on Saturday and the host of the tournament, Norway, on Sunday, signed a clear victory on its return to work. Jordi Ribera put a very recognizable starting seven into play and equality marked the first half (19-19).
Ángel Fernández, Imanol Garciandia and Adrià Figueras led the Spanish offensive game (11-8), but the ‘oranje’ reacted with a more direct game. Kay Smits, his team’s top scorer with five goals, put the Netherlands ahead for the first time in the 22nd minute.
Ribera introduced Djordje Cikusa, who made his debut with the Spanish jersey at the age of 17 years, 10 months and 22 days, and the young Barça player was in charge of returning the initiative to the ‘Hispanos’, with the tie on the horn.
With the resumption, Spain finished taking a step forward, with a strong defense and an attack with rhythm, with the entry on the court of the other golden twin Petar Cikusa who enjoyed another debut to remember at the helm of the national team.
The thefts in defense and the quick transition of Ribera’s men broke the Netherlands in the final stretch, in the Spanish candidacy for the 2023 Golden League being held in Bergen.