Torrevieja and the Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament #2 represents the third time Spain have found themselves in the last-chance competition to grab a ticket to an Olympic Games – and the third time they will play it on home soil.

It also represents the third time they will face Argentina for a spot in an Olympics with the South Americans joined by Czechia and Netherlands, the quartet of teams battling for one of the two spots available in the southern Spanish town through to Paris 2024.

The nation has only qualified for the Games five times in the 12 editions since the women’s handball competition debuted in 1978, their own debut came in 1992 when they automatically qualified as hosts.

London 2012 will remain in the hearts of Spanish handball fans as it saw Spain’s best-ever result at an Olympic Games – bronze, after they beat Republic of Korea in the medal match following additional time.

Their journey to the podium had started at the Palacio Multius de Guadalajara (Aquas Vivas) in Guadalajara when Croatia, along with Netherlands and Argentina were the opponents in the Olympic Qualification Tournament.

The qualification was not simple with the group becoming one of the tightest in Olympic qualification history as the hosts, Croatia and Netherlands all ended on four points each. Spain and Croatia eventually prevailed with a better goal difference to the Netherlands. Spain had beaten Argentina (31:15) and Netherlands (28:24) before losing to Croatia (22:23).

Last time out, for the one-year delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Spain drew with Sweden (28:28) and beat Argentina 31:16 at the Olympic Qualification Tournament held at the Polideportivo Pla de l’Arc in Llíria, results which were enough to book their ticket to Japan, after Senegal had withdrawn as the fourth team. Spain went on to finish a disappointing ninth in Japan.

Leading what they hope will be step on the path to an Olympic Games medal, is familiar face Ambros Martin, who took over coaching duties in May 2023. 

Martin, former coach of Romania and Russia, is best-known for his club work, guiding Györi Audi ETO KC, to four EHF Women’s Champions League titles amongst numerous domestic honours.

He has already secured qualification through to the 2024 EHF Women’s European Championship with two games to spare in a group featuring North Macedonia, Lithuania and Azerbaijan, so will now be focused on seeing his team safely through to the ultimate sporting event.

If they should qualify, they will join their men’s side in Paris, who qualified in March at their home qualification tournament in Granollers.

Left wing Alexandrina Cabral Barbosa is a true leader for Martin’s team, scoring well over 700 times in her 160 appearances, while on the opposite side Paula Arcos has a big influence in Spain’s system, on defence and with their fast transitions. 

At the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, Spain faced all three sides they will play in Torrevieja in the main round and will be hoping for better results at home. After defeating Argentina (30:23) they lost to Czechia (22:30) and Netherlands (21:29) to eventually finish 13th, their second worst ranking in history, after their 15th spot in their 1993 debut.

Right wing Marta Lopez is the sole survivor from that London 2012 medal-winning team still active in the Spanish national team and will no doubt be reminding the players in Torrevieja what winning an Olympic Games medal means.

Key players: Alexandrina Cabral Barbosa (left wing), Paula Arcos (right wing)

History at the Olympic Games: 1992 – 7th, 2004 – 6th, 2012 – 3rd, 2016 – 9th, 2020 – 9th

Olympic Qualification Tournament #2 (in Torrevieja, Spain): Netherlands (NED), Czechia (CZE), Argentina (ARG), Spain (ESP)