The first game in group D in Wiener Neustadt was mostly like a walk in the park for Spain, crushing the Czech Republic 37:25. But the game didn’t start so convincingly for the Spanish world champions from 2005. After twenty minutes in the first half the teams were still playing tight 10:10. The Czech Republic was even at one point leading with two goals. But in the last ten minutes before the break, it was only one team on the court, and Spain scored eight goals in a row, winning the first half 17:10. Czech republic scored the first goal in the second half, but they were never close to catching up with Spain. After sixty minutes the gap had grown to twelve goals, and Spain won easily 37:25.

Valero Rivera Lopez coach Spain: “We are satisfied with the way the team played and the result. I just want to congratulate my team with doing a good job the whole year.”

Iker Romero player Spain: “We are really happy with the victory today. The first game of the championship is always important and hard. Now our minds are on winning the game tomorrow.”

Martin Liptak coach Czech Republic: “The first twenty was good for us in both defence and offence. But we got some silly 2 minutes penalties and lost our heads and the game. We have to focus on the next games and forget this one as soon as possible.”

Jan Filip Czech Republic: “We played well in the start, but it was not good enough against a great playing Spain, and we lost the game. But our most important game here in Wiener Neustadt is on Friday against Hungary.”