BARCELONA:
In the final will face two of the most accurate teams of the
championship. Denmark is the only side who have won all their matches
(8/8), while Spain was only defeated by Croatia in the last matchday of
the group phase.
THE STATISTICAL FACTS
Hosts Spain and European title holders Denmark advanced to
the men’s world handball championship final after emphatic wins over
their respective opponents on Friday.
Spain eased to a 26-22 success against surprise packages Slovenia and
Denmark romped to an impressive 30-24 defeat of 2003 winners Croatia to
set up a mouth-watering clash in Barcelona’s Palau San Jordi today. “I
am very pleased because I have won three bronze medals in the world
championships but I had never qualified for a final before this,” said
Spain goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik. “We still haven’t really taken it all
in. It’s an unbelievable feeling top be in the final.”
The Palau Sant Jordi will hold an unprecedent final between two
traditional handball nations but both with few WCh finals in their
memories. For Spain, this will be an historical chance to repeat the
success Tunisia 2005, when they won their only gold of their showcases.
As a home team, they will play in front of their fans, which could mean
an extra motivation for Valero Rivera's side. On the other hand, Denmark
come to their third world final with the wish of winning their first
title.
- On scoring and conceded goals, Denmark have netted 272 and conceded 209 (+63). Spain have scored 245 and conceded 164 (+81).
- Among all the participants, Denmark is the most accurate in shooting (65%). Spain have a 59% ratio of shooting accuracy.
- Scoring wings. Spain have in their two right wings a warranty of goals. Albert Rocas and Víctor Tomás are the top scorers of the Hispanos with 34 goals each. In Denmark happens the same, but in a more intense way and in their two corners with their two starter wings. Hans Lindberg has scored 35 goals, while Anders Eggert is the top scorer of his team and of the tournament with 52 goals.
- Two Fast Breaking teams. Having played one more game, Croatia is the team with the most fast breaks goals of the tournament (69). Denmark with 65 and Spain with 53 are second and third in this ranking.
- Goalscoring Hansen's absence. So far, the Danish star is not playing his best championship. He is the sixth goalscorer of his team with 20 goals and his shooting accuracy is not the best. With 45% of goals from his attempts, Hansen is the second Danish player with the poorest scoring ratio.
