The two-time handball world champion Spain has started into the European Championship in Croatia with a canter victory. Coach Jordi Ribera’s team won their opening game in Varazdin against disappointing Czechs with a confident 32:15 (16:9). Spain’s other opponents in Group D are Hungary on Tuesday and Olympic champion Denmark on Thursday.
The Spaniards had the game under control from the outset, were never back and were leading by six goals after 20 minutes. The best throwers among the winners were Barcelona’s left-winger Valero Rivera, club mate Raul Entrerrios and right-winger Ferran Sole, each with five goals. Stanislav Kasparek also scored five goals in the Czech Republic as the best shooter.
Spain wants to win the first gold medal in Croatia. So far, the Iberians have only made four final entries. This was also the case in Poland in 2016, when there was a surprisingly clear 17:24 bankruptcy against Germany. Two bronze medals were added to the four silver medals in the history of the European Championship.