Spain have been a true powerhouse in the younger age categories over the last years, but they have never won a gold medal at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, conceding losses in both finals played so far, at Argentina 2011 and at Georgia 2017.

“Los Hispanos” will undoubtedly be one of the favourites to clinch another medal at Croatia 2023, having secured their berth last summer with an outstanding display at the M18 EHF EURO 2022, where they thoroughly dominated their opponents, winning all the seven games they played on the way to the title.

From that team, Spain have retained the majority of players, without a lot of reshuffling, which is a huge advantage from the start, including the two members of the side which made the All-Star team at the M18 EHF EURO 2022, right wing Xavier González Unciti and right back Djordje Cikusa Jelicic. 

Both Djordje and his brother, Petar Cikusa Jelicic, are in the squad and have a huge potential, while right wing González Unciti and centre back Ferran Castillo Oliveras were their team’s top scorers one summer ago.

Spain’s morale has also been boosted by three wins sealed two weeks before the tournament, two against Montenegro and one against Hungary with Los Hispanos’ attack functioning at high parameters just before the start of Croatia 2023.

Having never finished outside the top 10 in their history at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, Spain look primed to challenge for the trophy this time around too, being clear favourites in Group D, where they face the Republic of Korea, Brazil and Bahrain, a start which definitely helps them get into gear.

Key players: Petar Cikusa Jelicic (centre back), Djordje Cikusa Jelicic (right back), Xavier González Unciti (right wing)
Qualification for Croatia 2023: M18 EHF EURO 2022 – 1st
History in the tournament: 2007: 7th, 2009: 6th 2011: 2nd, 2013: 4th, 2015: 4th, 2017: 2nd, 2019: 7th  
Group at Croatia 2023: Group D (Spain, Republic of Korea, Brazil, Bahrain)