FC Barcelona stands as the toughest contender in the Copa del Rey handball final competition
Ready to dive into the electrifying world of Spanish handball? This weekend, the nation's top handball teams battle it out for the coveted Copa del Rey title, and the spotlight is shining bright on Barcelona - the reigning champions and record holders with an impressive 28 victories in this tournament. But it's not all smooth sailing for the azulgranas, as seven other teams are eager to break their hegemony in this tournament.
Teams like Bidasoa Irún, Torrelavega, Ademar León, Recoletas Atlético Valladolid, Logroño La Rioja, Balonmano Alcobendas, and Bada Huesca will put up a fight, each driven by a burning desire to dethrone the mighty Barcelona.
While Barcelona is the clear favorite, this Copa del Rey promises to be more thrilling than ever, brimming with potential surprises. In fact, Valladolid, Barcelona's first rival, is one of the two teams that have managed to beat the azulgranas in the Liga Asobal this season.
If Barcelona triumphs, they will face the winner of the duel between Huesca and Logroño La Rioja - the most formidable squad in the Liga Asobal's second round, which already drew with them at the Palau Blaugrana.
On the other side of the draw, the Irudek Bidasoa-Irun team enters the competition with a somewhat dampened spirit due to its recent poor form and results. But as the hosts of the Artaleku sports hall, they trust that the support of the fans will help them tip the scales in their favor against Bathco Torrelavega in the balanced quarter-finals.
The quarter-finals will also feature the intriguing matchup between Ademar León and the Alcobendas, the surprising second-tier team that has shown remarkable strength in recent months. This marks a worthy accomplishment for the historic Madrid club, but the road ahead won't be easy.
This tournament also carries the last European passport, a coveted prize that would benefit the runner-up, unless Torrelavega, already qualified for the European League, were to claim it instead. That position currently belongs to Bidasoa-Irun, who are hoping for another opportunity to secure another year of international competition, having placed them in the quarter-finals of the European League last year.
The entire competition can be seen live on Teledeporte and our website Play, with the following schedules for the quarter-finals on June 6:
- Logroño La Rioja vs Bada Huesca - 13:00 h
- Balonmano Alcobendas vs ABANCA Ademar de León - 16:00h
- Barcelona vs Recoletas Atlético Valladolid - 18:30h
- Bidasoa Irún vs Bathco Torrelavega - 20:45h
The semi-finals will take place on June 7, followed by the final on June 8 at 18:00h. Let's see who will lift the Copa del Rey trophy this year!
Despite the focus on Spanish handball, the thrilling world of football and sports is never far behind. With the excitement of the Copa del Rey ongoing, one can't help but wonder if this year could be the perfect time for a football match, say a friendly between the handball champions, Barcelona, and a local football team, to catch the attention of handball fans eager for a change of pace.
Moreover, following the decisive quarter-finals, football enthusiasts might want to take a moment to watch the Euro 2020 matches, as they provide another level of entertainment and international competition to look forward to, just like the Copa del Rey.
