Spain
Can Spain become the second team in history to win the EHF EURO three times in a row?
In the past, only Sweden managed such a successful run, winning the 1998, 2000 and 2002 editions. After that, France won the competition three times, and Denmark won twice, but neither of these two accomplished the back-to-back feat.
Since January 2020, Spain have showed they can remain competitive, reaching the semi-finals and winning bronze both at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last summer and at the IHF Men’s World Championship six months earlier.
It seems like the EHF EURO is the lucky competition for Spain. The Hispanos have reached the final weekend of every European competition since 2012, reaching the final in the last three editions.
Coach Jordi Ribera should not need to make many changes to his team. Stalwarts Daniel Sarmiento and Jorge Maqueda should be on court to defend their colours again, helped by youngsters Aleix Gómez and Ruben Marchan. The pair of Gonzalo Perez de Vargas and Rodrigo Corrales between the posts will once again be one to watch.
Spain is operating a transition, although a very smooth one, with key players of the past being replaced year after year, to prevent abrupt changes.
In group E in the preliminary round, Spain look like favourites to snatch one of the two top spots, competing with Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic. The clash with Sweden will be key, as the winner will take two extra points to the main round.
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EHF competition history
European Games
2023 - Champion
European Championship
2022 - 2nd place
EURO CUP
2022 - 3rd place
EURO CUP
2020 - Champion
European Championship
2020 - Champion
European Championship
2018 - Champion
ECh Beach Handball
2017 - Champion
European Championship
2016 - 2nd place
ECh Beach Handball
2015 - 2nd place
European Championship
2014 - 3rd place
ECh Beach Handball
2011 - 3rd place
ECh Beach Handball
2006 - Champion
European Championship
2006 - 2nd place
World Championship
2005 - Champion
ECh Beach Handball
2002 - Champion
ECh Beach Handball
2000 - 2nd place
European Championship
2000 - 3rd place
Olympic Games
2000 - 3rd place
European Championship
1998 - 2nd place
European Championship
1996 - 2nd place
Olympic Games
1996 - 3rd place
Key Players
Goalkeeper
Gonzalo Perez de Vargas is a medallist at four consecutive EHF EUROs, starting in 2014, including two golds in 2018 and 2020. Before joining the senior team he represented Spain in all age categories and now forms a national team duo with Veszprém’s Rodrigo Corrales. Perez de Vargas began his career in Barcelona, and returned to the club in 2014 after stints with Granollers and Toulouse focused on gaining experience. He was voted as All-star Team goalkeeper of the EHF Champions League in 2016/17 and in all Spanish domestic competitions since 2014/15. He was also MVP of the ASOBAL league in 2016/17.
Right wing
Aleix Gómez made his first national team appearance at the IHF Men’s World Championship 2019, two years after being named best right wing of the Junior World Championship 2017 where he won gold with Spain. He won gold on his EHF EURO debut in 2020, scoring 31 times including 11 penalties across the competition. Gómez was the leading scorer for Barça in 2018/19 and 2019/20 EHF Champions League group phases, and was voted as the best young player in the EHF Champions League 2019/20 All-star Team.
Head Coach
Coach
Under Jordi Ribera’s command, Spain won the EHF EURO twice, in 2018 and 2020, as well as Olympic and world bronze. The Spanish coach took on his first job at just 21. He took over his first national team in Argentina in 2004, before moving to Brazil then taking the job for Spain in 2016.