Spain are the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals at the 28th IHF Men's World Championship after they sealed their fifth win in a row (31:26) against Slovenia, creating an unassailable gap in the standings, with only matchday to go in the Main Round Group I in Krakow.

France are also qualified for the quarter-finals, irrespective of their results in the last two matches, due to the head-to-head record against Slovenia and Montenegro.

Main Round Group I

Slovenia vs Spain 26:31 (15:15)

Slovenia knew that any other result than a win in this match would have rendered their chances of a quarter-finals berth to zero as they faced a must-win match against a team that has been one of the most consistent in the world in recent years and one that was also riding a four-match winning streak at Poland/Sweden 2023.

However, Spain have been trying to create a new side in the wake of a flurry of retirements and injuries, as coach Jordi Ribera could not count on the two top wings Spain currently have, Aleix Gómez and Aitor Ariño, due to injury.

That did not deter Spain prior to the match against Slovenia, but those shortcomings were exposed in the first half against Uroš Zorman's side, a motivated team that faced a do-or-die situation, fighting for their lives from the first minute of the match.

Nevertheless, Spain imposed a fast pace to the game, playing to their qualities, and were leading 7:3 after only 10 minutes, with their fast throw-off really doing the damage on Slovenia's defence, who failed to come back and protect goalkeeper Urban Lesjak.

As right wing Kauldi Odriozola scored four times in the space of 16 minutes, Slovenia looked done and dusted, only for Slovenia to prevent Spain from scoring for five minutes and 53 seconds, with Lesjak shining in goal with a triple save in a single Spain attack, followed quickly by another double save.

Thanks to Lesjak's amazing half, with the goalkeeper saving 10 shots for a superb 41% saving efficiency, Slovenia quickly got their confidence back and started to dig in. A 4:0 run was essential to tie the match, and Zorman's side even took the lead briefly, 14:13, with an in-flight goal from left back Borut Mačkovšek.

It was the moment that Spain really understood they were in trouble and needed to up their game on both sides of the ball, as the numbers underlined that Slovenia's comeback made them favourites to win the match if they played the same efficient game in the second half.

While Spain have constantly been a high-scoring team in the last few years, they are surely one that is also boasting a great defence whenever they need to. So this is exactly what happened in the second half, when "Los Hispanos" really took control of the match.

After saving only three shots in the first half, goalkeeper Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas started to take over the match, constantly frustrating Slovenia in one-on-one situations. Additionally, Spain really moved better and faster to create a tighter defence, so Jordi Ribera's side delivered an excellent second half.

Between the 37th and 51st minutes, Slovenia only scored two goals, with their efficiency dropping and the number of turnovers ballooning. It was the match's pivotal moment, when Spain created a 7:2 run as Slovenia tried a five-on-five attack again, while their opponents had a suspension and created more problems with three suspensions in a row.

Spain thanked for the chance and scored twice in the open goal left by Lesjak to create an even playfield in attack, with Ferran Solé and Jorge Maqueda duly taking advantage and helping Spain create a comfortable 26:21 lead with 12 minutes to go.

It was a lead that they were never going to relinquish, eventually pounding on until the last minute of the match and sealing a 31:26 win, thanks to another excellent team effort as 11 different players scored at least one goal, while Pérez de Vargas, the recipient of the "hummel Player of the Match" award, finished the match with nine saves, with some key ones scattered throughout the second half.

With their fifth win in as many matches at Poland/Sweden 2023, Spain are the first team to progress to the quarter-finals, but whether they secure first place in the group is a totally different question, which will be answered on Sunday when they face France.

Slovenia are out of contention for a quarter-finals berth as France also made it through to the knockout phase due to their wins against Slovenia and Montenegro, owning the tiebreaker in case of a draw in points.

hummel Player of the Match: Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas (Spain)