Paris 2024 is the fourth consecutive edition of the Olympic Games for Spain, a team that have always finished in the top 10 in the competition. But the ninth place at Tokyo 2020, three years ago, was their lowest finish in their five appearances, with the bronze medal at London 2012 being their best performance.

Spain have always been a dark horse in every major international competition, with a fantastic mix of team spirit and otherworldly defence creating the perfect setting for good performances, such as the silver medal at the 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship, the fourth place at the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship or the silver medals at the EHF EURO 2008 and the EHF EURO 2014.

But over the last years, “Las Guerreras” have made a step back, finishing 13th at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship and 9th at the EHF EURO 2022, failing to get into the conversation for the medal battle. Losing key players like right wing Carmen Martin and goalkeeper Silvia Navarro, who retired, did not help, as Spain are missing their leadership and key experience.

Enter Ambros Martin, one of the most decorated coaches in women’s handball, who took over the team in the summer of 2023. Martin won the EHF Champions League Women with Győri Audi ETO KC four times, and is considered one of the best coaches at this level, yet he will make his debut at the Olympic Games, despite previously coaching Romania and Russia women’s national teams.

With a defensive-first mindset, which suits Spain excellently, Martin is set to transform his side, with glimpses of improvement shown in the three friendly matches prior to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, all won, 22:21 against Angola, 24:19 and 29:23 against the Republic of Korea.

“The team's work is very good. Fundamentally, in defence and in goal. And we are improving our attacking part, especially thinking about the match against Angola,” said Martin after the friendly matches played by Spain.

Experienced players like Alexandrina Barbosa, who at 38 years old will feature for the second time in her career at the Olympic Games, or Mireya Gonzalez will bring some depth to Spain’s squad, but the reality is that the European side has plenty of untested players, which will make their debut in the competition.

Spain are going to play in Group B, with three other European sides, Hungary, the Netherlands and hosts France, but also against Brazil and Angola, in what projects to be a very well-balanced group. Last time around, at Tokyo 2020, Spain missed out on a quarter-finals place and finished ninth, but this time the aim is clear – to secure a spot between the best eight teams in the world.

Spain

Coach: Ambros Martin

Key Players: Alexandrina Barbosa (left back), Kaba Gassama (line player), Mireya Gonzalez (right back)

Qualification for Paris 2024: Olympic Qualification Tournament #2: 2nd place

Previous appearances: 1992: 7th, 2004: 6th, 2012: Bronze medal, 2016: 6th, 2020: 9th

Group at Paris 2024: Group B: Hungary, Netherlands, Spain, France, Brazil, Angola