Spain, Sweden and Argentina will tough it out for two tickets at Tokyo 2020, as the eye-catching European derby will throw off Tournament 1, which is taking place in Llíria, Spain, on the sunny Costa del Sol.

There will be time for soaking up the sun, but only after the crucial weekend for the three sides, which are all vying to earn a consecutive berth for the Olympic Games.

Spain vs Sweden 21:00 CET

It is a busy year for Spain, as “Las Guerreras” are eyeing both their third Olympic Games berth in a row, but also the 25th IHF Women’s World Championship in December hosted by Spain.

There are great expectations from the Spanish side and coach Carlos Viver, and the first big test comes on Friday, in Llíria, where “Las Guerreras” will be hosting Sweden, in the first game of Tournament 1 of the Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020.

Two places for this summer’s Olympic Games are up for grabs, with the two European sides competing against Argentina for the tickets to Tokyo.

This is by no means a European classic, but the two sides have met 12 times in competitive matches in the past 40 years, with Sweden taking seven wins, while Spain only won once, nine years ago, at London 2012, 25:24.

The latest showdown between the two teams featured in the group phase of the Women’s EHF EURO 2020, with Spain and Sweden sharing the spoils after a 23:23 draw. Their previous encounter, at Japan 2019, also finished in a draw, 28:28.

There will be no room for error for both Spain and Sweden, as key players could be heading for their last chance to play at the Olympic Games.

The core for the Spanish team remains intact, with captain Carmen Martin, who has scored more than 800 goals for “Las Guerreras” in 233 competitive matches headlining an experienced side, which also features goalkeeper Silvia Navarro, centre back Nerea Pena or right back Mireya Gonzalez.

Martin, who was absent due to injury at the IHF Women’s World Championship in 2019, where Spain won the silver medal, is vying to play at her third consecutive Olympic Games.

“We know each other very well, I get the impression that this game can be a little bit the same of what we saw in our last two mutual games. This is a very dangerous team for us, with a lot of experience in this type of games,” said Spain’s coach, Carlos Viver on the Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM) website.

On the other side, Sweden want to make it two out of two, after the men’s team qualified for Tokyo 2020 last weekend.

The Swedish side can earn their fourth consecutive Olympic Games berth, but changes have been made since they recorded their worst finish at the Women’s EHF EURO in December since 2004.

Coach Tomas Axner retained his job after leading his side to the 11th place last December, but will have to make do without the retired iconic playmaker, Isabelle Gullden, while experienced goalkeeper Filippa Idehn and right wing Nathalie Hagman did not make the cut.

“Of course we will miss Bella. But we should not change who we are. We will use our skills and contribute in every way possible. what we can. Now there are other players who have more responsibility and it should not be a problem,” said Melissa Petren, Sweden’s centre back, who will make her comeback in the national side.