Ahead of their crucial eighth-final knock-out clash tonight at 21:00hrs (local time) in Pontevedra, France and Spain have both made significant player replacements.

The 1998-generation world champions France have made their second replacement at Spain 2019, swapping left backs, with Elohim Prandi coming in for Nori Benhalima. Prandi plays his club handball for USAM Nimes Gard and stands at 1,93m.

The French Handball Federation have called the Spain game the “biggest challenge” for their U18 EHF EURO, IHF Youth and U20 EHF EURO champion side. Prandi comes into the squad after missing the preliminary round due to an injury picked up in a friendly match against Japan.

France’s opponents, and host nation Spain, welcome back key player Ian Tarrafeta Serrano. The centre back was replaced on Friday but has recovered from his “muscle problems”. The replacement is their second of Spain 2019 too.

Damor Dominkovic has made his first change for unbeaten Croatia, changing goalkeepers. In comes Ivan Panjan and out goes Fillip Peric. Panjan plays his club handball for the Zagreb-based MRK Sesvete and has scored twice in 35 matches for his national team.

Spain 2019: Player Changes

Wednesday 24 July

France (FRA): #24 Elohim PRANDI (Left Back) IN, #22 Nori BENHALIMA (Left Back) OUT
2 of 3 France player replacements allowed at Spain 2019

Spain (ESP): #10 Ian TARRAFETA SERRANO (Centre Back) IN, #18 Miguel MARTINEZ LOBATO (Line Player) OUT
2 of 3

Croatia (CRO): #12 Ivan PANJAN (Goalkeeper) IN, #16 Filip PERIC (Goalkeeper) OUT
1 of 3

Monday 22 July

Argentina (ARG): #21 David Hernan SCHENKEL (Goalkeeper) IN, #12 Nicolas AGNOLETTI (Goalkeeper) OUT
2 of 3

France (FRA): #3 Antonin MOHAMED (Left Wing) IN, #5 Gael TRIBILLON (Left Wing) OUT
1 of 3 

Japan (JPN): #32 Ryo TSUYUKI (Left Back) IN, #17 Shoiciro ASANO (Line Player) OUT
2 of 3 

Serbia (SRB): #19 Boris RADIVOJEVIC (Left Wing) IN, #35 Aleksa MAKSIC (Left Wing) OUT
1 of 3

Sunday 21 July

United States of America (USA): #19 Logan Per ERIKSSON (Left Wing) IN, #18 Marko BABIC (Left Back) OUT
1 of 3

Denmark (DEN): #23 Emil JAKOBSEN (Left Wing) IN, #19 Frederik IVERSEN (Left Wing), OUT
1 of 3

Late Registration
Germany (GER): #9 Lukas KISTER (Left Back) IN

Friday 19 July

Spain (ESP): #8 Eduardo Cadarso CABALLERO (Centre Back) IN, #10 Ian Tarrafeta SERRANO (Centre Back) OUT
1 of 3

Japan (JPN): #1 Katsuki HIRAO (Goalkeeper) IN, #32 Ryo TSUYUKI (Left Back) OUT
1 of 3 

Wednesday 17 July

Argentina (ARG): #17 Juan Valentin PARES (Left Wing) IN, #6 Tomas PEGURI (Centre Back) OUT
1 of 3

Full squad lists can found on the IHF.info Spain 2019 mini-site by clicking on 'Teams' HERE.