SPORT – Spanish sport has had the most fantastic week with wins in water polo, rugby, women´s football, and of course, the tennis at Wimbledon. In this article, however, we focus on the first three sports.
Spanish sport has seen the most remarkable victories this week with many tense moments and nail biting finals.
Water polo
This was the 19th time that the men´s water polo tournament had been played. The first took place back in 1973. The water polo tournament was part of the 2022 World Aquatics Championships which started on June 21 and finished on July 3.
Italy and Spain´s final match came right down to the wire. Spain beat Italy 15-14 after a penalty shootout to lift the title. This was the third title for Spain, who now equal Hungary for the second-most world titles in men´s water polo. Only Italy are ahead, but Spain´s win prevented the Italians from claiming a 5th title.
Instead, Italy had to be content with the silver medal, while Greece beat Croatia to win the bronze.
🇪🇸SPAIN are the new World Champions!!!
They beat Italy 15-14 after penalty shoot out!#FINABudapest2022 #waterpolo pic.twitter.com/dqd5cwuJXq
— FINA (@fina1908) July 3, 2022
Rugby Europe 7s
In the men´s standings, the second leg was played in Krakow, Poland over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Germany were leading after their first leg win in Lisbon. Germany then went on to win all four matches in Pool A going through to the semi-finals. France were the other team to make it through from Pool A into the semi-finals.
In Pool B, Portugal, and Spain both went through to the semi-finals, with Portugal topping the table.
The semi-finals saw Spain take on Pool A leaders, Germany, while Portugal played against France. Portugal were defeated 26-14. However, Spain won a spectacular 31-10 against Germany. Germany then managed to pick themselves up and win against Portugal 24-14 to claim the bronze medal.
Spain went into the final with France the favourites for many. However, Spain came out on top with an amazing 29-7 victory to take the Krakow title.
Not only that, but their win meant Spain became the European Champions as they gained a further 20 points which put them on 38 points, with Germany on 36, and France coming 3rd on 30 points.
Therefore, Spain won both the Krakow 7s and the Rugby Europe 7s Championship series to become European Champions 2022. What a weekend!
🇪🇸 🏆 | Introducing your 2022 Men's 7s European Champions, @ferugby! pic.twitter.com/4D8aoCF0pD
— Rugby Europe (@rugby_europe) July 3, 2022
Women´s European Futsal Champions
On 4 April 2017 the UEFA Executive Committee agreed a revamp of their futsal competitions – including the launch of a first-ever UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO.
The UEFA European Women’s Futsal Championship is UEFA’s first female competition in the sport.
Spain were the first winners of the competition when they played in the final against hosts Portugal in Gondomar.
Gondomar was the venue for the final once again this year. History repeated itself but only after Portugal pushed them all the way. Portugal went 2-0 up with goals from Ana Azevedo and Pisko after 11 and 18 minutes of play. However, a minute later, Ale de Paz scored for Spain making it 2-1. She then scored her second goal of the match in the 34th minute, making all things square at 2-2. María Sanz put the ball in the net during extra time putting Spain in the lead. However, Pisko stepped up and scored her second goal of the match and the equaliser. The game then went to penalties.
Silvia Aguete, Spain´s goalkeeper saved two attempts with Portugal only scoring once. The penalties ended 1-4 for Spain.
📰 Spain repeated their Women's Futsal EURO success in Gondomar, but only after Portugal pushed them all the way 👇#WEUROFutsal
— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) July 4, 2022
What is Futsal?
Futsal is the FIFA-recognised form of indoor football (the name is a mix of the Spanish ‘fútbol sala’). It is played between two teams of 5-a-side, and the ball is harder, and smaller than a regular football. Due to the smaller space, technique and skill are necessary.
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