Hosts Spain enjoyed a strong campaign at
the XXIII International Women’s Handball Tournament of Spain, taking the trophy
after three wins in three games. At the four-nation event played from March 21
to 23 in the city of Palencia, Spain beat Switzerland, Serbia and Brazil. The
result highlights Spain’s development over recent years, as the young squad
have been in a rebuilding phase since after the 2016 Olympic Games.
The XXIII International Women’s Handball
Tournament opened on March 21, with two starkly different matches: Serbia defeated
Brazil 29:27 (16:16) after a tightly contested 60 minutes, while Spain earned a
dominant win over Switzerland, 35:18 (17:9).
On the second day of competition, Brazil
took their first win when they beat Switzerland with a clear final score line
of 28:16 (18:8). Spain followed with their second victory, defeating Serbia
31:28 (14:15).
Spain therefore entered the final day of
competition on four points after two wins, while Serbia and Brazil each had two
points thanks to one victory apiece. Serbia added one last win, recording a
31:21 (10:12) result against Switzerland. The two-goal half-time deficit
against the 2013 World Championship runners-up was turned completely around in
the second half, for Serbia to enjoy a clear win after recovering from a rocky
opening.
The final match saw an exciting clash
between Spain and Brazil, with the Pan American side leading 15:13 at half-time
before the hosts turned the tide and finished with a 28:25 win.
Spain therefore finished on six points at
the top of the ranking, ahead of Serbia on four points, Brazil on two and
Switzerland on zero.
For the three European sides, the XXIII
International Women’s Handball Tournament of Spain served as part of the
preparation for their upcoming 25th IHF Women’s World Championship
qualification play-offs. Both Spain and Serbia will play the first leg of their
respective play-off on May 31, with Spain meeting Iceland and Serbia hosting
Poland. Switzerland will play their first-leg play-off on June 1, against
Denmark.
Brazil’s next major international event
will be the 2019 Pan American Games in July.
Photo: Royal Spanish Handball Federation