An excellent attack and a strong defence helped Spain open up their account in style in the Olympic Qualification Tournament #1 in Granollers, with a big win, 39:27, against Bahrain, which will now have a mountain to climb if they are to secure back-to-back appearances at the Olympic Games.

“Los Hispanos” made a big step towards earning their ticket to Paris 2024, as they face Slovenia and Brazil next, hoping that their fans will have more to enjoy in the Palau d’Esports de Granollers.

Olympic Qualification Tournament #1
Spain vs Bahrain 39:27 (18:11)

Spain could not have wished for a better start in the Olympic Qualification Tournament they are hosting in Granollers, as a strong start, fuelled by plenty of balls won in defence, helped them cruise to a crucial win, before they face Brazil and Slovenia in the matches which will likely decide the two qualified teams for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

With more experience and depth on their roster, Spain ploughed to a 10:2 lead after 14 minutes, as their attack has been truly firing on all cylinders, while Bahrain had little to show, especially as goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales, reinserted into the line-up after missing out at the EHF EURO 2024, saved three of the first four shots he faced.

As Bahrain scored their first goal after only five minutes and 28 seconds, their frailties were on display, especially as they missed five key players, which were suspended after the semi-final of the 2024 AHF Asian Men’s Handball Championship in January, when they had an unsportsmanlike conduct towards the referees.

That translated into Spain getting a huge lead, taking advantage of Bahrain’s problems in defence, as line player Gedeon Guardiola scored twice in his 200th start for Spain, while wings Ferran Sole and Angel Fernandez also added two more goals on Spain’s way to open a 13:6 lead after 22 minutes.

With potentially a bigger goal difference making a crucial point at the end of this Olympic Qualification Tournament, Spain continued to press and opened a seven-goal lead at the break, 18:11, with nine different players on the scoresheet and an outstanding 50% saving efficiency from goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales, who had 10 shots stopped.

Another player returning after an absence to the national team, veteran Antonio Garcia Robledo, had an excellent match in front of the fans of the club he plays for, Granollers, scoring four goals and adding three assists, as the gap grew even bigger, to ten goals, 26:16, after 44 minutes.

With all outfield players bar defensive specialist Viran Morros scoring at least one goal for Spain, this turned into a lopsided win for the European powerhouse, as Bahrain’s lack of depth was exploited in the end, with pacy fastbreaks converted by left wing Daniel Fernandez, the hummel Player of the Match, who finished the match as Spain’s top scorer, with eight goals.

Eventually, Spain got what they wanted, a big win to throw off the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification Tournament, 39:27, while coach Jordi Ribera also had the time to rest some of his key players for the next showdowns against Slovenia and Brazil.

Hummel Player of the Match: Daniel Fernandez Jimenez (Spain)