In Torrevieja, the Royal Spanish Handball Federation is shining a light on the country’s handball pioneers while gathering the current Spain women’s national team for a ceremonial tribute. The event unfolds on the evening of a key home game, with the tribute ceremony taking place before the Spanish team takes the floor for their opening match of the event. A corridor will be formed by the present players to honor nine former teammates as they make their entrance. The gathering will be held at the Palacio de los Deportes with the federation’s president, Francisco V. Blázquez, speaking to a packed arena. Returning figures of note include José Manuel Taure, José Faustino Villamarín, Francisco López, Santos Labaca, José Perramón, Javier García Cuesta, Juan Miguel Igartua, Juan Antonio Medina, and Jesús Guerrero. Fernando Andrés will be absent for personal reasons, while the memory of late players Domingo Bárcenas, Vicente Ortega, Juan Morera, Antonio Andreu, Miguel Ángel Cascallana, Pitiu Rochel and Rafael Vellilla will also be honored.
Matches in Torrevieja
The Spain women’s team will use this event to fine-tune European preparations, as the forthcoming Spain International Tournament in Torrevieja gets underway with a slate of matches this evening. The squad is set to face teams from Tunisia, Egypt and Switzerland, testing their defensive discipline and transition play against varied styles. The plan centers on building a solid defensive base and exploiting fast counterattacks to generate simple goals, a philosophy the team aims to reinforce ahead of the European campaign. This approach was outlined by the national coach, who emphasized the importance of defensive work not only to limit opponents but also to create scoring opportunities on the break. [Source: RFEBM]
Defensive organization and quick transitions will be critical as the Warriors prepare for Europe. The squad will rely on compact positioning, disciplined pressure, and a disciplined plan to withstand opposing attacks, while seeking to improve finish in fast breaks. The coach underscored the value of defense as a catalyst for counterattacks and easy scores, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to carry this mindset into the tournament.
Torrevieja Will Be the Warriors’ European Base
The team’s leadership recognizes that defense and counterattack alone cannot guarantee success in the first round of the Europa League. Spain will meet Macedonia, Poland and Germany, with one of the hosts featuring prominently in the group. To compete at this level, the squad faces physically strong opponents and must navigate sharp adjustments in positional attacks. The coaching staff acknowledged the challenge of finding open shooting lanes and emphasized the need to develop reliable mechanisms to reduce exposure in possession. This preparation is viewed as an opportunity to adapt and grow under pressure, with the aim of showcasing the team’s resilience on the European stage.
The coach admitted that a different European opponent might have posed a different test, yet he expressed belief that facing teams with a distinct playing style, such as Tunisia and Egypt, would provide valuable contrasts that could sharpen the Warriors. An adaptive approach, he suggested, could prove highly beneficial for the European challenge ahead.
Looking ahead to a stern test against Switzerland, the coach said that matching up with a team that operates in a different style offers a meaningful gauge of the national team’s level. The expectation is that such matchmaking will push the squad to grow and adjust mid-tournament, delivering important learning ahead of the European Championship.
The squad will also feature new trio centers, including Kaba Gassama and the young Lysa Tchaptchet, along with Alba Spugnini, who at just 19 will make her major international debut at the European Championships. These additions represent a fresh wave of talent entering a high-stakes environment, where experience blends with youthful energy to shape team dynamics.
Discounted Tickets for the “Guerreras” in Torrevieja
Decisions about which players to deploy were made with an eye toward balance between offense and defense. The coaching staff determined that the selected trio best fits the current tactical plan for Europe, enabling the squad to execute the intended match idea across the European competition. The deployment of Lysa Tchaptchet, who previously played with Kristiansand, the European champions, and Alba Spugnini, a member of the gold-medal Mediterranean Games squad, signals a deliberate effort to blend proven performers with promising prospects. [Source: EFE]
Despite the team’s recent results, the players contributed to a positive mood, with the staff noting that the experience provided valuable insights beyond the scoreboard. Spain will aim for three wins this weekend against Tunisia, Egypt and Switzerland, a result that would bolster confidence heading into the European Championship, which opens the following week in Slovenia, Macedonia and Montenegro.
Spain’s schedule for the Spanish International Tournament is as follows: Spain vs Tunisia at 21:00 on 10/28, Spain vs Egypt at 18:00 on 10/29, and Spain vs Switzerland at 13:00 on 10/30. [Source: Event Schedule]