Two in a row: Spain secure second consecutive IHF Women's Youth World Championship title with magic comeback

Spain clinched their second title in a row at the IHF Women's Youth World Championship, with a fantastic comeback against Montenegro, clinching a 26:23 win, after being down three goals in the 45th minute.

Spain became the second team in history to clinch back-to-back titles, after Russia in 2016 and 2018.

Final
Spain vs Montenegro 26:23 (11:12)

Spain defended their title in a thrilling final against Montenegro, producing a stunning late comeback to claim their second consecutive IHF Women's Youth World Championship trophy.

Hasty attacks, strong defences and perhaps a touch of early final nerves kept the nets untouched for almost six minutes before Montenegro finally broke the deadlock. Their strong start continued as they moved into a 3:0 lead, leaving the reigning champions scoreless for the opening eight minutes.

Montenegro managed to hold on to their slender advantage until the 15th minute, but without the same level of goalkeeping support they had enjoyed in previous matches, Spain gradually found their way back.

Iraia Berroeta Sánchez became the focal point of the Spanish attack, while several timely saves from Rebeca Secades Catalá helped the reigning champions draw level at 7:7. Berroeta then fired Spain into their first lead of the final at 9:8 in the 23rd minute, but a series of attacking mistakes soon stalled their momentum.

Montenegro capitalised to regain the lead and carried a narrow 12:11 advantage into half-time, despite Spain enjoying better statistics in several key areas. Ivana Savić once again pulled the strings for Montenegro, scoring six of her side's 12 first-half goals, although their heavy reliance on her became increasingly evident as the match progressed.

At half-time, the spotlight briefly shifted away from the court as the volunteers who helped make the championship possible were honoured for their contribution throughout Romania 2026.

The attacks improved after the restart as both sides continued to push the limits. Montenegro repeatedly moved one or two goals ahead, only for Spain to fight their way back each time. Two crucial saves from Isidora Gogić finally gave the Lionesses additional momentum, helping them open a three-goal lead at 20:17—their biggest advantage since the opening 3:0.

But the final was far from over. Spain switched to an aggressive player-to-player defence, forcing Montenegro into turnovers, while their seven-on-six attack started to pay dividends at the other end. Despite Montenegro's efforts to protect their lead, the reigning champions drew level at 22:22 in the 55th minute.

The closing five minutes produced a turnaround worthy of a world championship final. Trailing 20:22, Spain scored six unanswered goals to storm into a 26:22 lead, leaving Montenegro with barely two minutes to respond after spending most of the match in front. The Balkan side managed one late goal, but the comeback was complete. The Lionesses fought bravely, yet in the end, it was the Guerreras who conquered Pitești.

Spain sealed a 26:23 victory to successfully defend their title and became only the second team to win back-to-back IHF Women's Youth World Championship titles, following Russia in 2016 and 2018. Montenegro, meanwhile, returned home with silver from their first-ever final, securing the nation's first medal at the IHF Women's Youth World Championship.

Lucía Calleja Velasco and Iraia Berroeta Sánchez led Spain with six and five goals respectively, while Rebeca Secades Catalá finished with 10 saves and a 30% save efficiency. For Montenegro, Ivana Savić and Anđelina Orbović combined for 16 of the team's 23 goals.

Player of the Match: Elene Fresco Bastarrika (Spain)