The future of Spain At the 2025 Handball World Cup, in just a few hours, it went from brilliant to dark. The team had just finished an almost flawless first phase, with comfortable victories against Chile and Japan, in addition to a memorable draw against … the horn against Sweden, one of the big favorites. However, everything that was built collapsed in the final ten minutes against the host. Norwaythe first duel of the second round in which they suffered, in the last 10 minutes, an inexplicable 5-2 partial, from 20-22 to the final 25-24.
It is true that the last play was not without controversy, since the Scandinavian defense exceeded certain regulatory limits and the referees, the Bosnian brothers Konjicaninthey could have whistled a maximum penalty that would have allowed the team to try to equalize. However, the Balkans pointed out a free shot from nine meters, Garciandia’s shot blocked by Gullerud, a deflection that has put Spain in a big mess heading into the quarterfinals.
The mathematics, in this case, is simple. If Spain wins Portugal this Friday (3:30 p.m., Telesport) and on Sunday before Brazil (18.00), will be in the playoffs for the title. The problem is that neither of the two challenges are simple. In fact, Norway, once the super champion and fear of half of Europe, was the most affordable match in this round, as it had only won one of the first three matches and almost the entire country was calling for the immediate resignation of its coach. Jonas Libergfor the poor image offered to his compatriots.
Portugal Yes, they are a team on the rise, winners against the United States, Brazil and Norway in the group stage. In fact, against the hosts, they were able to win (28-31) despite the fact that it was the duel with the highest attendance in the history of the country, 11,345 spectators, including members of the royal house. Their last score before facing Spain, an impressive draw against Sweden at 37, ended by a goal from Rui Silva with 40 seconds left before the final whistle.
Brazilon the other hand, does seem more affordable, although it was the first big surprise of the World Cup by beating Norway in the opening match. They then stumbled against Portugal, but have had two consecutive wins, against the United States and Chile. Before facing the national team, they will face Sweden.
«We have two finals, but you cannot access the second without the first. The match against Norway was the only one that could be lost, although perhaps it hurt especially, because we had it under control until the last ten minutes,” said the coach. Jordi Riberawho also showed his concern about the “offensive gaps” that his players have suffered during this World Cup. “We got into a maelstrom in which we tried to solve the game one against one, but we have to be a more collective team,” he said.
«We will reset soon. We could only lose against Norway and we have done it, but I think that Hispanics are more dangerous when we are injured,” he harangued before the microphones. Ian Tarrafetaa mantra shared by his teammate, the goalkeeper Sergey Hernandez. «The worse we are, the more we want to go out and bite, to fight. “The national team, when faced with moments of pressure, brings out the best in itself.”
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