The ‘Hispanos’ want to bring another medal closer
After an irregular path in Paris 2024, the team faces a growing Egypt in the quarterfinals with the same objective as always
MADRID, 6 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men’s handball team hopes to take advantage of the quarter-final clash this Wednesday against Egypt, an option that will be presented in Paris 2024 to fight for another medal and clear up the doubts that arose at the beginning of the year with the European Championship.
The ‘Hispanos’ have earned respect as a historically successful team for Spanish sport in international tournaments. However, their sporting memory has always been short-term and, after their early elimination in the European Championship in January, the irregular path in Paris did not help.
However, Spain is in the quarter-finals of the Games and, therefore, very close to fighting for the medals, its natural place, with four Olympic bronzes since 1996, nine medals at European Championships also since that year and five medals at World Championships since 2005. In addition, the last victory against Croatia a priori avoided a worse path.
After two wins and two losses in Group A, Ribera’s men went into the final matchday forced to score against the Croatians, knowing that a draw would mean going through but facing Denmark. A goal from Aleix Gómez in the final seconds meant victory and going through as third, with a match against Egypt in the quarter-finals.
The numbers are never a good guide and Spain will not be able to relax against a top-level rival. The African team, with a lot of Spanish influence in recent years, finished second in Group B ahead of Norway and France. Juan Carlos Pastor, the third consecutive Spanish coach in Egypt, has the ‘Pharaohs’ well-oiled and ready to take another step forward.
Three years ago, then led by Roberto García Parrondo, the Egyptians met Spain in the fight for bronze in Tokyo 2020. Then, Raúl Entrerríos said goodbye as a legend and with another medal and the ‘Hispanos’ won with a tight 31-33 thanks to the actions of their captain, Álex Dujshebaev and the defense.
The last precedent between both teams was the final of the Mediterranean Games, two summers ago, where the Spanish team also won (27-28) with a different squad to that of Paris 2024, although some like Imanol Garciandia, Ian Tarrafeta, Kauldi Odriozola and Dani Fernández repeat in Ribera’s renewal.
At the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Spain hopes to remain among the best after their setback in the European Championship, finding their best form with the saves of Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas and with the defence. In addition, the Dujshebaevs are leading the way and, although lacking in effectiveness at times, the ‘Hispanos’ have shown their resources in a squad burdened by the absences of Gedeón Guardiola and Joan Cañellas.
Meanwhile, Egypt, with the architect of Spain’s first World Cup (2005) on its bench, perhaps the team with the greatest potential in recent years, is seeking revenge to get closer to the podium that the ‘Hispanos’ denied them in Tokyo. In addition, historically there are 27 victories and 2 draws against Egypt for a Spanish team that hopes to face France or Germany in the semi-finals in Lille.
DATASHEET:
–EQUIPMENT:
EGIPTO: Hendawy (P), Aly (P); Omar, Abdou, Hesham, Tarek, Elmasry, Elwakil, Y. Elderaa, S. Elderaa, Yousri, Adel, Zein, Sanad.
ESPAÑA: Pérez de Vargas (P), Corrales (P); Álex Dujshebaev, Tarrafeta, Maqueda, Garciandia, Casado, Dani Dujshebaev, Aleix Gómez, Odriozola, Sánchez-Migallón, Dani Fernández, Serdio and Javi Rodríguez.
–PAVILION: Pierre Mauroy Stadium.