The game had started with form – Brazil easily won the first period 18:8 and were even 10:2 up at one stage. However, a full-length goal from Patricia Encinas Guardado and then a team time out at 12:4 restored Spain’s composure. 

It was short-lived though as Brazil turned on the style as Budapest 2016 MVP Camila Souza along with Millena Alencar and Patricia Scheppa all scored unanswered goals at the end of the period to take it 18:8.

There was little to suggest that there would be any different outcome to that of 2012 and 2014 – Brazil winning.

But Spain had other ideas and again a full-length goal from Encinas Guardado provoked a response and this time it stuck. Spain went 8:2 up and Brazil were nervous.

Despite the nerves you do not win multiple titles without coming through the darkest of moments and the South Americans responded to make it 8:8 through Nathalie Sena twice and Renata Santiago, named in the All Star Team pre-match.

With the scores all even the game was there for the taking.

Ingrid Frazao then saved a Spain shot but the European side would not back down and three unanswered strikes from Ivet Musons Gimeno, Jennifer Gutierrez and Navarete Inmaculada put them 14:10 up. 

Unfortunately for Brazil it got worse as Patricia Scheppa – MVP at Muscat 2012 - was shown a direct red card with 8:08 on the clock as she jumped and interfered with Asuncion Batista Portero, attempting a mid-air strike.

The Brazilians knew it would go to penalty shots, and as Cinthya Pires had her penalty shot saved in the last seconds both sides started preparing for the shootout.

The first two penalties from both sides were scored without a problem and at 4:4, Alencar prepared to take hers but as she received the ball, Portero rushed out to smother her and the Brazilian could not find a way past.

Spain had the lead and they did not let it go, Gutierrez then scored to make it 6:4 and Santiago responded to put the pressure on Spain to sink their final throw.

That was left to Encinas Guardado, who received the pass from Musons Gimeno - top scorer in the game on 11 points, and as she drilled the ball past Frazao for one point she won the shootout, the championship and the hearts of Spanish handball fans around the world.