First half power ensures smooth ride for Spain

Ahead of this match, both teams had already secured their spots in the main round of the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship, and the subsequent match maybe suggested both teams were already looking ahead to the last 24.

2021 bronze medallists Spain had confirmed their qualification 48 hours earlier, while Veselin Vujović’s Asian side had their qualification confirmed less than an hour before the throw-off thanks to a Chile loss against Montenegro.

In the end, the European nation, a country Vujović has fond memories of as a player with Barcelona and Granollers and as a coach with Ciudad Real, ran out 13-goal winners to take a maximum of four points into the main round.

Group A

Islamic Republic of Iran vs Spain 22:35 (11:21)

Both coaches made two changes to their matchday squads ahead of this clash, with the winners ensuring an extra two points to take to the main round.

Spain did not leave any doubt about what they came to achieve – go hard, go early and get the points in the bank.

They did not disappoint, scoring 21 goals in the first half through seven different players.

After ten minutes they were five goals ahead (8:3), with Iran already one time out down (2:6, ninth minute) and struggling to cope with an aggressive 5-1 defence at times, led by Kauldi Odriozola Yeregui.

When they did get through, Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas was in their way – his eventual 12 saves (from 33 shots/46%) earning him the player of the match award.

The Spanish lead was doubled by half-time to a 10-goal advance (21:11) and reached as high as 14 goals in the second half (31:17, 53rd and 34:20, 59th).

“It was a good match for us, but we need time for Iranian handball,” said Iran’s Mohammadmahdi Behnamnia.

“With one of the best coaches in the world, Veselin Vujović, we can realise our plan in the future. We are here to learn and adapt things, but in a big match like against the Spanish, they have two of the best goalkeepers in the world with good defence and attack, and tonight was a good school for us.”

“We achieved our main goal to pass the main round with four points,” said Spain’s captain Gedeón Guardiola. “Our attitude was good today; we had a good defence and are happy to achieve this result.”

hummel Player of the Match: Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas (Spain)