Spain claim top of the group, Tunisia continue in President’s Cup

19 Jan. 2021

Spain claim top of the group, Tunisia continue in President’s Cup

Despite not being at their best, Spain have kept their record unblemished at Egypt 2021 after their 36:30 win against Tunisia in the last game of the preliminary round.

The Spanish win also secured main round berths for Brazil and Poland, with Tunisia continuing the competition in Group I of the President’s Cup.

GROUP B
Spain vs Tunisia 36:30 (17:14)

It was far from a walk in the park for the reigning European champions, as there were four lead changes in the first 15 minutes, with Spain being unable to contain the creative and pacey Tunisian attack.

The tables turned, though, when Tunisia were not able to find a way to stop the Spanish attack. Spanish left wing Angel Fernandez Perez scored four goals in a row, resulting in a 4:1 run that saw Jordi Ribera’s side take an 11:8 lead.

With Fernandez and line player Ruben Marchan Criado having a combined tally of 12 of Spain’s 17 goals in the first half, Tunisia were trailing 14:17 at half-time and left fighting for a main round spot in the last 30 minutes of the game.

The challenge was to limit Spain’s attack, which had a 74 per cent shot efficiency in the first half. Tunisia barely managed to lower it (71 per cent), and never got their own attack going.

It had something to do with a superb display from Spanish goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas, who saved 18 shots to reach an outstanding 39 per cent efficiency.

However, whenever Tunisia felt like they could get close to Spain, they conceded easy goals, with Gedeon Guardiola and Alex Dujshebaev converting two consecutive empty-goal shots to lift the European powerhouse to a 28:23 lead.

As Fernandez hit the ten-goal mark, Tunisia collapsed entirely, with Spain clinching an impressive 36:30 win after their best game in the tournament.

Unbeaten in three games at Egypt 2021, Spain will start the main round on three points, as Poland and Brazil also secured their ticket to the next round.

For the second time in the past five editions of the IHF Men’s World Championship, Tunisia failed to progress from the preliminary round, as they are heading to Group I of the President’s Cup, where they will face two other African teams, Angola and DR Congo.

hummel Player of the Match: Angel Fernandez Perez, Spain