In Belgium, Spain once again demonstrated its remarkable consistency in the Europe Cup, securing a fourth consecutive podium finish in the continent’s top competition. The team made up of Helena Oma, Txell Alarcón, Marta Canella and Gracia Alonso de Armiño comfortably came through the group stage, with wins over Slovenia (21-9) and Hungary (19-14), before defeating hosts Belgium in the quarter-finals (20-9).
Their route to the final continued with an impressive victory over Azerbaijan (20-16), the very team that had eliminated Spain in the semi-finals of the previous edition. In the battle for gold, the Netherlands once again lived up to their status as firm favourites and took an early lead, although Spain responded and moved to within three points (14-11). In the end, the Dutch side claimed the title with a 16-13 victory.
Spain only lost to the Netherlands in the final. Photo: BaloncestoESP
For Oma, the silver represents another highlight in an international summer that has been practically non-stop. On the international 3x3 circuit, the Casademont player won the Bucharest tournament at the beginning of July and was later crowned champion and named MVP in Bordeaux, in addition to finishing third in Hungary before taking part in this Europe Cup. That demanding schedule kept the red-and-white player away from Casademont’s preseason during the team’s final week of work.
RETURN TO ZARAGOZA
With the European Championships now over, Oma will join Casademont Zaragoza during a particularly important week. Carlos Cantero’s team is entering its final week of preseason before officially opening the season with the Spanish Super Cup, and the Catalan player’s arrival will allow the coach to continue integrating his squad and gradually increase the level of collective work ahead of the final two friendlies against Greek side Athinaikos.
In addition, the return of the Catalan forward will come almost at the same time as Mariona Ortiz’s. The red-and-white captain has also ended her international campaign after Spain secured the bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup, allowing Cantero to welcome back two of his most important players before the start of official competition.
