Spain has won a ticket to the European semifinals on Tuesday after defeating Poland 27-28 in the decisive match and will be able to defend the title achieved in the two previous editions, although until tonight they will not know if they are first or second in the group ( will be first if Norway does not overtake Sweden).
The Hispanics faced the last match of the Main Round knowing that they would achieve the long-awaited ticket for the fight for the medals in case of tie or victory against a ‘bialo-czerwona’ team (rojiblanca) already without options for two days but that already left Russia out of the ‘semis’ in that situation.
This time the coronavirus had smiled on the Spaniards, since Ian Tarrafeta was already able to dress against Norway and Joan Cañellas knew shortly before Tuesday’s duel that he could play. By contrast, his rival had three casualties for that reason: the talented Szymon Sicko, Mateusz Kornecky and Melwin Beckman.
the selector jordi rivera He tried to surprise from the start with two attack-defense changes to strengthen the rearguard and from the beginning it achieved its purpose, since the solvency in the center allowed the outsiders to risk and steal two balls in a row to go 1-4 (min. 6:10).
Ferran Solé ran the backlash with solvency and Spain was already winning 2-6 (min. 8:52), but from then on the Poles calmed down their attack, found a way to beat Rodrigo Corrales who had started very well and solidified their defense.
With several saves from Mateusz Zembrzycki and two goals from Damian Przytula, Patryk Rombel’s men made up for their deficit until they achieved a 5-1 run and even the score (8-8, min. 16:58) which forced Ribera to stop the game.
![The Hispanics, to 'semis'! The Hispanics, to 'semis'!](/clip/321d2dce-5668-4b45-8f15-711887afbedf_16-9-aspect-ratio_50p_0.jpg)
Agustín Casado tries to beat Mateusz Zembrzycki
| EFE
As in the last two games, the Hispanics suffered in the static attack, stubbornly seeking superiority in the center that did not exist. Finally, Ferran Solé broke a one-goal drought in more than seven minutes and the reincorporated Joan Cañellas (just got over covid) established the 9-11 (min. 21:39).
The match accelerated in the last phase of the first act and between Arkadiusz Moryto (an excellent left winger) and Piotr Jedraszczyk They prevented the current continental champion from putting land in between (13-14 at rest).
Spain recovered a certain speed in attack that allowed them to get around the Polish defensive hardness and find spaces at the ends to go back to leave for three goals at Barça rhythm with a ‘hat-trick’ by Aleix Gómez and a ‘target’ from Ángel Fernández (17-20, min. 39:58).
![The Hispanics, to 'semis'! The Hispanics, to 'semis'!](/clip/e0262e92-f3e8-4b08-90f6-c8bf46746946_16-9-aspect-ratio_50p_0.jpg)
Adrià Figueras beats the Polish defense
| EFE
With Casado in charge scoring and assisting, Spain did not finish leaving because that offensive solvency was not confirmed in defense. And when he got it with a great goal from Tarrafeta (21-24, min. 45:49) he incurred two losses that added drama to the score (23-24).
Cañellas took over from the young man from Sabadell with a great goal and a great defensive blocking to keep the Hispanics ahead with some slack after a great goal from Ángel Fernández (25-28, min. 56:29)… but they still had to suffer until the last moment.
Poland attacked with seven and Moryto put them one goal a minute and a half from the end (27-28). A providential time-out by Ribera saved Cañellas, Poland attacked to equalize and two incredible saves by Rodrigo Corrales tied a victory that is worth the pass to the semifinals.