One of the most consistent teams in the past years, Spain are finding themselves in uncharted waters, after finishing 13th at the EHF EURO 2024, being eliminated from the preliminary round for the first time in history, with their sixth consecutive semi-finals running streak in the European competition being ended in Germany.

With an aging core, which saw some new players ushered in to replace several stars which announced their retirement, Spain must bounce back if they are to clinch their 12th appearance at the Olympic Games, where they secured the bronze medal four times in six appearances since Atlanta 1996 onwards.

However, Spain have failed to seal a gold medal despite making it to four semi-finals in the history of the Olympic Games and now face the dreaded tests of the Olympic Qualification Tournament in order to progress to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which would see them challenge for the gold medals for the 11th time in the last 12 editions of the competition.

Coach Jordi Ribera has implemented a fantastic system, which relies on a good defence and a fast transition, with shapeshifting tactics in defence, yet Spain’s shortcomings were on display in January, when they failed to win against Austria and lost against Croatia at the EHF EURO, making Ribera go back to the drawing board.

Nevertheless, Spain have made it to the Olympic Qualification Tournaments via the bronze medal secured at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship, a huge achievement for “Los Hispanos”, which clinched the medal after winning against hosts Sweden in the highest-ever scoring bronze medal match, 39:36.

The form for their key players has been patchy at times, with Gonzalo Perez de Vargas being hit and miss this season, while right back Alex Dujshebaev had his own injury worries to overcome in the start of the season. However, Spain will be favoured to progress  in Granollers, as their home court will be a big advantage.

“Los Hispanos” also look the most experienced team in the mix there, having the head-to-head avantage over Bahrain, with two wins in two matches in the last 13 years at the IHF Men’s World Championship, as well as three wins in the past four matches against Slovenia, including a 31:26 one at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship.

Spain have also dominated Brazil in the past mutual matches, but one of those matches, at the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship, has ended in a stalemate, 29:29, as Ribera’s side will have no room for mistake here, with only two teams progressing to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Granollers.

Key players: Aleix Gomez (right wing), Gonzalo Perez de Vargas (goalkeeper), Alex Dujshebaev (right back)
History at the Olympic Games: 1972: 15th, 1980: 5th, 1984: 8th, 1988: 9th, 1992: 5th, 1996: Bronze medal, 2000: Bronze medal, 2004: 7th, 2008: Bronze medal, 2012: 7th, 2020: 3rd
Olympic Qualification Tournament #1 (in Granollers, Spain): Spain, Slovenia, Bahrain, Brazil