This generation of Spanish men’s beach handball players known as ‘Los Hispanos’, come to North Africa as YAC 16 EURO 2024 silver medallists, but on the back of teams who have come before then and medalled on the global stage.

The very first IHF Men’s Youth Beach Handball World Championship, also held in Africa – Mauritius 2017 – saw them, as then European champions, win all nine of their games to take gold with coach at the time, Bernal Rodriguez, saying: “We have proven our domination in beach handball.”

That domination continued the following year when the same team won gold at the debut of beach handball at the Youth Olympic Games.

And it is no surprise that Spain continue to impress as a well-developed, deep culture of the sport runs throughout the country – best demonstrated by their hugely-successful and popular Arena Beach Tour. This, coupled with talent identification, coaching and facilities of the highest quality sees Spain as one of the clear favourites to not only podium in Hammamet, but to take gold.

“Participating in a world championship is the most special moment in their sporting lives at such an early age and they will experience it in a country like Tunisia, which has been actively involved in the development of beach handball,” said Francisco V. Blazquez, President of the Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM), to ihf.info.

“We all share the objective of having beach handball included in the Olympic Games as an official summer Olympic discipline and all the federations, together with the IHF, are united in working toward that goal.”

Spain may have some inside information on Hammamet ahead of the world championship as both their men’s and women’s senior teams competed in the first stage of the 2025 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour at the same venue in early June.

However, that European silver should provide enough evidence of just what the Spanish men are capable of, despite losing their opener against Czechia 2-0 on the Bulgarian sand last year.

After that wobble, Spain went on to beat Turkiye, Norway, Hungary, Portugal, Croatia, Ukraine and Germany on their way to the final where Hungary got their revenge, defeating them via shoot-out to take the title.

It was likely to be of little consolation that right wing Hugo Borja Guerrero Diaz was named MVP of that tournament, while Carlota Bravo Garcia ended as top-scorer, with 199 points. Diaz, but not Garcia has made the 10-man squad selected by coach Sebastian Hernandez.

The team held a final preparation camp with their women’s team at CEULAJ in Mollina, Malaga which concluded earlier in June with Hernandez and his team looking to improve on their disappointing seventh place at the last world championship, Greece 2022. That result came after Brazil knocked them out at the quarter-final stage and they saw off Germany to win the 7/8 placement match after losing to Argentina in the 5-8 placement round.

“Our national youth team, after an intense week of preparation, faces a challenging group stage,” said coach Hernandez to ihf.info. “We are up against Iran - a team that is well-organised, disciplined in their play, and physically strong, making them the favourites to top Group A. They will be a very tough opponent to beat. 

“We also face Oman, a team that performed excellently in their continental championship, fighting hard in every match and often pushing games to shoot-outs. Their fast-paced play, good ball movement, and solid defense make them a strong and well-rounded side.

“Lastly, there's Puerto Rico – a bit of an unknown – but their progress in recent years makes them a tricky opponent. They play with daring and confidence, and they are capable of beating any team on the court.

“Our team's main objective is to go out there and compete, aiming to deliver a strong performance in this major global event, where top teams from around the world are present,” he added. “We hope to place ourselves among the best and, as always, showcase the dynamic and fast-paced image of Spanish beach handball.”

Coach: Sebastian Hernandez
Key players: Jesus Sanchez de la Nieta (Right Wing), Hugo Borja (Right Wing), Markel Errasti (Left Wing), Pablo Sanchez (Specialist)
Qualification information: YAC 16 EURO 2024 – 2nd
History in tournament: 2017: 1st, 2022: 7th
Group at Tunisia 2025: Group A – Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), Spain (ESP), Oman (OMA), Puerto Rico (PUR)