The ‘Warriors’, no room for relaxation
Spain already has the ‘Main Round’ tied but wants the plenary session against Austria
MADRID, 5 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women’s handball team closes this Monday the preliminary round of the 2021 World Cup against Austria (20:30 / Teledeporte), with the ticket to the next phase assured but with the obligation to continue growing in play and points to advance with the plenary session.
Spain, host of the event, is looking for another step forward in the Torrevieja Sports Palace, where that ‘Main Round’ that already decides the quarterfinal crosses will also play. The ‘Guerreras’ are flying from the second half of their debut against Argentina, with another undisputed victory against China (18-33).
Those of José Ignacio Prades had a competitive training session against the Asians, a team invited by the International Federation and that closes Group H. After the victory of Argentina against Austria on the second day, Spain qualified mathematically to the next group to lack of a match.
Now, those of Sonja Frey are played to pass with points and if Spain wants to advance with the full 4, the points are dragged to the ‘Main Round’ against classified teams, the victory this Monday against Poland seems vital also for the ‘Warriors ‘. “It is our first final,” said Prades in statements provided by the Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM).
The Austrian team started as the toughest rival at this start of the World Cup, but the casualties, five positive for coronavirus and only 12 available players, are weighing on a game that is being sustained by the goals of Katarina Pandza and Patricia Kovacs. Both dominate the Austrian offensive game and will therefore be closely watched by the host.
Defense is being the great strength of Prades’ team. With the new generation of ‘Guerreras’, a spectacular Paula Arcos at the helm, the world runner-up has built a wall that also allows her to play at the pace she likes. They are the foundations of a game that accompanies so that Spain arrives grown to a second phase that everything points will be against Japan, Brazil and Croatia.
“The truth is that anyone would like to have these feelings that we do not change for anything. It is our first final, because it implies passing with four points. After this second phase will transform into three consecutive finals, therefore and also knowing that Austria he is going to play everything for everything to pass with points, we know that it will be very difficult, “said Prades.
DATASHEET.
–EQUIPMENT.
SPAIN: Silvia Navarro (p), Mercedes Castellanos (p); Carmen Martín, Carmen Campos, Silvia Arderius, Eli Cesáreo, Laura Hernández, Jénnifer Gutiérrez, Maitane Etxeberria, Lara González, Soledad López, Kaba Gassama, Alicia Fernández, Almudena Rodríguez, Ainhoa Hernández, Irene Espínola, Paula Arcos, Mireya González, Shandy Barbosa .
AUSTRIA: Ivancok (p), Hajgato (p); Pandza, Dedic, Schindler, Kovacs, Tomasini, Wess, Reichert, Schlegel, Ivancok, Leitner.
– PAVILION: Torrevieja Sports Palace.
–TIME: 20.30 / Teledeporte.