Javier Sánchez Granollers
Granollers
Updated Friday, March 15, 2024-22:34
First match The Spain of the 'vintage' defense defeats Bahrain and approaches the Games
Spain's handball team has not yet qualified for the Paris Olympic Games, but almost.
Now only a historic collapse this Sunday against Brazil (5:45 p.m., TDP) could leave her out.
The victory this Friday against Slovenia (32-22) in the second game of the Pre-Olympic was brilliant for several reasons.
Firstly, because now the team depends on itself: it can win, draw and even lose by less than 19 goals and the pass would still be theirs.
Secondly, because the victory discovered a new leader,
Imanol Garciandia
, who came to the team as a veteran just a year ago, and this Friday was discovered thanks to his power in throwing.
His six goals in the first half were essential.
And thirdly because
Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas
returned to excellence.
After a European Championship to forget, the worst tournament of his life, the goalkeeper made up for it in a big way with an outstanding performance in which he surpassed 50% accuracy - he finished with 18 saves out of 38 shots.
All in all, Spain hardly suffered in the first minutes, as a result of the tension, and then they came to like it, to enjoy it.
As soon as he led the score with Garciandia's goals (7-6, min. 10), he began to display his game and run, run, run.
A partial before the break (from 11-10 to 17-10) decided the match and in the second half Pérez de Vargas lowered the blinds.
The desperation of the Slovak team grew while Spain organized the celebration.