Data sheet
The Spanish handball team opened their World Cup campaign in Poland and Sweden with a convincing 30-25 victory over Montenegro on a night when discipline proved pivotal. The Balkan side paid a steep price for repeated expulsions, especially in the opening stretch, and were unable to translate their early count of advantages into a sustained performance that could threaten a high-flying Spanish unit.
With this win, Spain moved ahead in Group A, placing them just a step ahead of the competition as the tournament advances. The Spaniards, who sit second in Europe, demonstrated early on that their talent pool and tactical depth could outpace the two fellow group members, Chile and Iran, in the progression toward the knockout rounds.
Both coaches approached the match like a game of chess, each seeking to force a strategic error from the other. Montenegro initially favored a setup designed to improve ball circulation through two power plants, hoping to create fluidity in attack. Spain countered by adding power and height to their own lineup, looking for quick, external launches. Early on, Montenegro found some traction as Nemanja Grbovic was kept away from the center, while Branko Vujovic displayed a powerful right arm that caused a few early problems for the Spanish defense.
In the opening minutes Nebojsa Simic showed the form that has propelled him to the top of the German Bundesliga’s goalkeeper statistics, enabling Montenegro to seize a two-goal lead at 1-3. Yet Spain did not panic. They relied on relentless ball circulation and the capacity to convert numerical superiority into consistent scoring, even when Montenegro managed to close gaps by playing with extra attackers. The result was a game that swung decisively in Spain’s favor as they tied the contest at 7-7 and then moved ahead with a 10-7 advantage, a stretch powered by their ability to control the tempo and exploit Montenegro’s limited time to reorganize during critical moments. The Spaniards were buoyed by a disciplined 5-1 defensive stance that turned the match into several high-pressure sequences where the interests of the Balkans were repeatedly thwarted by timely stops and sharp counterattacks, particularly from the wings and center forwards as they built a lead of four goals at 13-9. Montenegro’s heart and persistence kept them in pursuit, but the Spanish defense and fast-break efficiency repeatedly shut down dangerous openings.
A setback arrived when Jorge Maqueda and Miguel Sánchez-Migallón were penalized in quick succession, briefly interrupting Spain’s momentum and allowing Montenegro to close the gap to 15-12 at halftime. The second period began with the same momentum and a renewed level of intensity from both sides. Spain extended their advantage shortly after the restart, with Simic continuing to test the defense while Ribera’s team maintained precise ball movement and patient finishes. Montenegro did not relent, pressing hard and creating several situations that could have narrowed the margin, but a sequence of near misses and smart saves ensured Spain kept the initiative. The defending Slavic side found some of their best chances wasted in the face of unwavering Spaniard discipline, including a notable misstep by Vuk Lazovic that could have altered the center-kick dynamics if converted differently.
Spain used these moments to pull away again and resist late attempts at a comeback. A decisive 3-0 run in the middle of the second half underscored their superior rhythm and mental edge, giving them a four-goal cushion at 21-17. The Montenegro squad pressed to recover, but Spain answered with crisp finishing from the wings and support from the center back position, maintaining a steady lead that never dipped below two goals. As the clock wound down, Jordi Ribera’s men preserved their margin and refused any dramatic concession, finishing with a comfortable 30-25 outcome that reflected a well-executed game plan and a disciplined collective effort, a performance that bodes well for Spain as they aim for a strong showing in the opening phase of the tournament.
In the aftermath, the match proved informative about the balance of power in Group B as it kicked off the first day of competition in Krakow. The Spanish defense, anchored by timely saves and aggressive handball pressure, stifled Montenegro’s attempts to accelerate, while the offense showcased patience combined with explosive individual finishes. The two teams will carry these lessons forward as the World Cup group stage unfolds, and Spain will look to translate this solid start into momentum for the next rounds. Referees Brunner and Salah oversaw a match marked by intense contact, with Spanish players Maqueda, Sánchez-Migallón, Peciña, and Cepic among those subject to two-minute suspensions, while Montenegro’s disciplined lineup saw a mix of players sanctioned for their actions. The game drew around 700 spectators at the Tauron Arena in Krakow, on a night that highlighted the speed, precision, and resilience that define high-stakes handball at the world level, as captured in reports of this fixture. [Source: World Cup match report from Krakow]