Spain’s women’s handball team faced a tough setback as they suffered a 30-22 loss to the Czech Republic this Friday. They must aim for a four-goal victory against the Netherlands this Sunday to advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, which is being held across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Despite the stumble, the Spaniards still have a route to qualification. A narrow win could suffice if the Czech Republic either draws or loses their match against Brazil, a game scheduled to take place earlier in the day. That scenario seems unlikely given Brazil’s current injuries, notably the absence of a key centre-back who had to retire from the game on a stretcher in Argentina after injuring her left knee.
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The setback was more painful for Brazil, while the Czech Republic and Spain still had opportunities to push through to the quarterfinals and secure a spot in pre-Olympic tournaments. Spain would solidify their position with a victory that keeps them in line for a Paris-bound appearance, and the Czech Republic remained in control of their own destiny. Brazil, as Pan American champions, controlled their own narrative in other parts of the competition.
If the Czech Republic defeats Brazil, Ambros Martin will need to guide Spain to a win over the Dutch to secure a quarterfinal berth. In addition, Spain would need a victory by a substantial margin, with a four-goal win or more, to maximize their points and potential tiebreakers. The math remains intricate, but a decisive performance could place Spain firmly on track for the knockout stages, even if other results shift the standings. [Citation: World Handball Federation]