The Spanish women’s handball team began their World Cup campaign with purpose, delivering a clear 34-17 victory as the event kicked off across arenas in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The opening clash against Kazakhstan was not immediate drama but rather a test of focus and cohesion, with Gerreras awaiting their moment to surge forward.
Coach Ambros Martín called for composure and urgency, urging the players to wake up and shed the nerves that often accompany a team’s first game in a major tournament. The message was simple: stay sharp, stay calm, and play the game with confidence.
The early exchanges showed a wide gap in experience and efficiency; Spain managed to take an eight to four lead by the 22nd minute, yet several unforced errors kept Kazakhstan within reach as the clock ticked away in the first half. The Spaniards moved the ball with intent, but the Kazakh defense stubbornly clung to the challenge, producing a tense opening that many expected would ease as the game progressed.
Choo choo! The crowd’s cheer became a running motif as Paula Arcos prepared to push the pace and drive the team forward. The celebration soon captured in social posts from Teledeporte highlighted the energy of the moment, including a post featuring Arcos and the cheering squad ahead of the second half. The message was clear: the rhythm was building, and Spain was ready to ride it. [Source: Teledeporte]
A brief spell of neutral play made the scoreline appear tighter than the gap suggested. Kazakhstan repeatedly faced a high number of goalkeeping saves in the early stages, with Spain tightening its defense enough to keep the Asian side from converting chances when it mattered. The defense adjusted on the fly, countering immediate threats with discipline, and the goalkeepers responded with calm, reducing the scoring opportunities Kazakhstan could convert as the first half wore on. Ambros Martín’s unit showed renewed focus after those early jitters, and the momentum began to tilt in favor of the Spanish side as the period progressed.
Let’s wake up, put nerves aside and play with clarity, the coach urged. His calm leadership resonated with the players, who translated the guidance into practical execution. The center position, led by Kaba Gassama, presented a physical challenge, and Spain exploited the center’s size with quick ball movement and efficient finishing. Each possession was converted to a scoring opportunity, allowing the Spaniards to push the lead to a more comfortable margin by halftime. The effect was a six-goal separation at the break, a cushion that allowed the team to breathe and reset for the second half. [Source: RFEBalonmano]
THE END! Spain capitalized on the early advantage and surged ahead after the break, taking command of the game and raising the tempo. The defense, guided by standout Serge Castellanos in net, was decisive, chalking up a series of stops and a couple of crucial penalties that changed the momentum in Spain’s favor. The team’s rapid counterattack—built on disciplined ball handling, quick transitions, and relentless pursuit of second balls—erased any doubt about the outcome day’s end. The second half carried the rhythm forward and extended the margin, sealing the victory with a confident 34-17 final score. [Source: RFEBalonmano]
Spain’s performance in the second period underscored the rise of a sharper, more cohesive unit. Grand Merche Castellanos led the way in defense with nine saves, including two from the penalty line, showcasing her ability to anchor the defense under pressure. Her stops enabled a breakthrough offensively, as the team exploited the open spaces created by their pressing defense and counterattacked with precision. The surge was not a solo effort; it relied on the collective movement of the backcourt and the wingers, who exploited gaps created by the robust defensive scheme. Mireya González, who later finished with five goals in the second half, provided a dynamic lift on the flank, ensuring Spain maintained momentum throughout the period. [Source: RFEBalonmano]
Without relying on the presence of Garibay’s Maitane Etxeberria or Amaia González, who helped widen the scoreboard margin in later stages, the team continued to press. Mireya González added five goals in the second half, a testament to the depth of Spain’s attacking options and the ability to adapt mid-game when plans were challenged. The final tally reflected a dominant performance and a clear message to the rest of the group: the Guerreras could shoulder the weight of this World Cup campaign. The result stood at 34-17 as the clock ran out and the celebration began. [Source: RFEBalonmano]
Data sheet:
34 – Spain: Zoqbi; Etxeberria (5), Alicia Fernández (2, 1p), Tchaptchet (2), Lara González, Arcos (1) and Sole López (2) started; Castellanos (ps), Campos (1), Arderius (2, 1p), González de Garibay (3), So Delgado, Gassama (5), Paulina Pérez (3, 2p), O’Mullony (3) and Mireya González (5, 1p) noted in the game record.
17 – Kazakhstan: Kolesnichenko; Mariya Pupchenkova (-), Radayeva (5), Jumadilova (-), Khardina (4), Rejemetova (4) and Mariya Sitnikova (1) started; Aitenova (ps), Zhaparova (ps), Valentina Sitnikova (-), Zvyagina (-), Seitkassym (2), Xeniya Pupchenkova (-), Khamitova (-), Kuandykova (1) and Khassanova (-) appeared as substitutes.
Marker every five minutes: 2-3, 4-4, 7-4, 8-5, 10-6 and 14-8 (Other) 17-9, 20-12, 23-13, 27-15, 31-16 and 34-17 (End).
Referees: Alenezi and Alnaseem (KUW). Spain issued two-minute suspensions to Lara González and Tchaptchet; Kazakhstan to Khardina and Rejemetova.
Events: The match formed part of Group G on the opening day of the World Cup, hosted across Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and was played at Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, Denmark.