The Spanish women’s national handball team remains unbeaten against Argentina, having emerged victorious in the opening match of the Torneo Internacional de Manzanares with a score of 28-25. This marks the twelfth consecutive win for Spain against their Argentine counterparts, with the latest triumph coming as part of their preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifying play-off against Croatia in April.
In the early stages of the game, Argentina, led by Mariano Muñoz, took the lead, dominating the first 30 minutes with a score of 11-15. However, the Spanish team, known as Las Guerreras, staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, outscoring their opponents 17-10 to seal a 28-25 victory. The turning point came in the final 10 minutes, as Spain’s squad, fueled by determination and grit, managed to turn the tide of the match.
Following a time-out called by Spanish national team coach Ambros Martín, the team’s fortunes began to change. Danila So Delgado and Jennifer Gutiérrez played crucial roles, exhibiting exceptional vigilance and speed to capitalize on any mistakes made by the Argentine team. Meanwhile, Nicole Morales showcased her impressive reflexes under the goal, helping her team gain a decisive advantage.
Despite Argentina’s resistance, Spain refused to relinquish the hard-fought victory, driven by their characteristic spirit and tenacity. The win marked a significant milestone for the Spanish team, as they secured their confidence and momentum ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifying match.
As the Torneo Internacional de Manzanares progresses, Spain has earned its first two points, with upcoming matches between Austria and Argentina on Friday and the concluding match between Spain and Austria on Saturday. The competition is heating up, and fans can expect intense battles on the court as the teams vie for dominance.
The Spanish team’s impressive performance was made possible by the contributions of its talented players, including Nicole Wiggins and Nicole Morales, who scored crucial goals. Other notable players who made significant contributions to the team’s victory included Alicia Fernández, Elba Álvarez, Paula Arcos, Seynabou Mbengue, María O’Mullony, Danila So Delgado, Paulina Pérez Buforn, Anne Erauskin, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Lyndie Tchaptchet.
On the other hand, Argentina’s squad, led by Candelaria Cuadrado, Valentina Menucci, and Ayelén Rosalez, put up a valiant fight, with notable performances from Carolina Bono, Martina Romero, Macarena Sans, Caterina Benedetti, Ayelén García, Micaela Casasola, Malena Cavo, Elke Karsten, and Rocío Campigli.
The match was marked by a series of intense and closely contested periods, with the scorelines reading 1-2, 3-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12, 11-15 in the first half, and 15-17, 18-18, 20-21, 22-22, 25-24, 28-25 in the second half. The match was officiated by Oscar Gutiérrez Sobrino and Jorge Monjo Ortega, who handed out several exclusions to players from both teams, including Carmen Arroyo and Danila So Delgado from Spain, and Giuliana Gavilán, Joana Bollin, and Rocío Campigli from Argentina.
The Torneo Internacional de Manzanares is being held at the Manzanares Arena in Ciudad Real, with a crowd of approximately 1,500 spectators cheering on their favorite teams. As the competition unfolds, fans can expect more thrilling matches and intense drama on the court.