How difficult it is to start from scratch, and how difficult it is to walk in the desert. The women’s handball team is there, even more so after losing in the second round of the World Cup to the Faroe Islands, who were making their first appearance in the tournament. A tough defeat to swallow. Another setback in the second half, leaving coach Ambrose Martin not knowing where to look when the setback was confirmed. If the team is looking to move forward with what has already been heralded as a long rebuilding process, this setback represents a serious setback along the way. This Sunday, they will meet Montenegro (18.00, Turkish time), the most difficult competitor. Despite the setback, the victory on the first day with nine goals over Paraguay (26-17) actually granted Spain a pass to the second stage. Of course, waiting for what he will do against the Balkans, he will do so now without any points.
After all the suffering after the break, Spain managed to make the score 24-22 five minutes before the end of the match. He even had the ability to ascend three times. But not even for these. The Faroe Islands responded with a score of 1-5 in the decider. In the previous round, the coach had asked for more success in free throws. However, the final attack, which was in fact the equaliser, was an effort from Kaba Gassama with 30 seconds left from six metres, which was saved by goalkeeper Racul Wardom, a nightmare. The 11 goals in the second half revealed all the problems that needed to be added to the attack.
Tonight didn’t start off badly. A dash from sniper Daniela Sue Delgado gave Spain a quiet income with about three goals that they managed to score throughout the first half without much pressure. The team came out hard from behind and in earnest, the Faroe Islands showing the tenderness of the newcomers with plenty of losses. But Lucia Prades, another World Cup rookie, couldn’t see the seams. Spain reached the break without fanfare with a 14-11 lead. But after the break things went wrong.
The seven encounters against six Faroe Islanders were starting to be torture for the defence, and in goal, Wardem began his string of impressive saves (15). For seven minutes, the team suffered with a goal scored by Mitani Etxperia.
The wind changed its direction and for a long time Spain only found the answer from Daniela Sue Delgado. It was the only offensive method, until she added some errors (seven goals out of 14 attempts). Then he found other alternatives, such as Gassama, Una Vighi, or Paula Arcos. It looks like the team has taken control again. But it just seems.
Despite the serious setback, Ambros Martin continued to cling to his message of endless optimism. “I think we played a good match, except for certain moments or certain situations of the match; above all, in the finishing and some loss of concentration in the second half. That should serve us, not as a lesson, because we already came from many players, but with a little calm we will be able to take advantage of the chances we created and it gives us confidence to continue the defensive work in this way,” said the Canary.
This is the group from Spain
Montenegro 4 points
Spain 2
Faroe Islands 2
Paraguay 0
The three qualify for the second stage with the points they achieved against the qualified teams as well
The last day of the first stage. Sunday
Faroe Islands-Paraguay (15.30)
Montenegro-Spain (18.00)