It was a giant fiesta in Barcelona: Denmark was virtually outclassed when Spain became World Champion in 2013 for the second time after 2005. Never before had a team achieved such a clear victory in a WCh final. It was the big triumph, which turned out to be the last one under coach Valero Rivera, who announced his retirement a few months later and since then has coached the team of WCh host Qatar. His successor already succeeded him once when he left FC Barcelona: Manoel Cadenas who at the same time coaches the Polish top team Wisla Plock. Cadenas is known for his ability to form talents into stars, which he demonstrated for many years during his time at the club Ademar Leon for example. Cadenas took over an excellent team from Rivera, as almost all 2013 champions, except for team captain Alberto Entrerrios, continued their careers in the national team. At his first major tournament as national coach Cadenas led the national team to the bronze medal – Spain ranked third at the 2014 European Championship in Denmark. The Spaniards have world class players on all positions, first of all goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik, defence specialist Viran Morros, wing players Victor Tomas and Albert Rocas, or the strong back-court players Jorge Maqueda and Joan Canellas. And additionally they have one of the world’s best pivots: Julen Aguinagalde. In Qatar Spain wants to continue where they left off in Barcelona: The goal is to defend the WCh title – or at least fight for medals.

World Championship campaigns: 1978: 10., 1982: 8., 1986: 5., 1990: 5., 1993: 5., 1995: 11., 1997: 7., 1999: 4, 2001: 5., 2003: 4., 2005: GOLD, 2007: 7., 2009: 13., 2011: BRONZE, 2013: GOLD

Olympic campaigns: 1972: 15., 1980: 5., 1984: 8., 1988: 9., 1992: 5., 1996: BRONZE, 2000: BRONZE, 2004: 7., 2008: BRONZE, 2012: 7.

European Championship campaigns: 1994: 5., 1996: SILVER, 1998: SILVER, 2000: BRONZE, 2002: 7., 2004:10., 2006: SILVER, 2008: 6., 2012: 4., 2014: BRONZE

Qualification for Qatar: defending World Champion

Coach: Manoel Cadenas

Key players: Arpad Sterbik, Julen Aguinagalde