Miguel Ángel Valverde, president of the Diputación de Ciudad Real, expressed his satisfaction following the Spanish women's handball team's impressive 34-23 victory over Japan. The match, held at the Macarena Aguilar pavilion in Bolaños de Calatrava, attracted numerous fans from the local area and beyond, who enthusiastically supported the team during the first of two friendly matches between the national sides.
The event, broadcast on TeleDeporte, showcased both Bolaños and Ciudad Real province on the international handball stage, highlighting the sport's deep-rooted presence in the region and the strong support for the Guerreras, as the Spanish women's team is known.
Valverde, who attended the match alongside Patricia Saldaña, the fifth vice president of the Diputación and head of the Sports Area, emphasised the joy of having the Spanish national team play in Bolaños with open stands, allowing fans to cheer for the players throughout the game. He recalled that a previous match in April against Israel had to be played behind closed doors, making this occasion particularly special for handball supporters.
He expressed gratitude to the Real Federación Española de Balonmano (Royal Spanish Handball Federation) and its president, Francisco Blázquez García, for choosing Ciudad Real as the venue for national team matches. Valverde interpreted the two friendlies against Japan as recognition of Bolaños' commitment when it hosted the earlier international match against Israel.
Valverde affirmed that Ciudad Real is a province that “breathes handball,” highlighting the sport's strong tradition in various localities, particularly in Bolaños de Calatrava. He acknowledged the efforts of the Club Balonmano Bolaños and its president, Ana Almansa, for their involvement in organising the matches.
He reiterated the Diputación's commitment to promoting handball and sport in general, noting the importance of fostering healthy habits and enhancing the profile of municipalities that host major events. Such occasions not only promote the province within Spain but also internationally, a benefit amplified by the televised coverage of the match against Japan.
Looking ahead, Valverde announced that Ciudad Real will continue to host significant competitions, including an upcoming international tournament featuring the Guerreras in Puertollano and the final phase of the Copa del Rey for men's handball in Ciudad Real. He expressed his intent to collaborate further with the Spanish Federation to facilitate future sporting events and welcomed national teams to the province.
Blázquez, president of the Real Federación Española de Balonmano, thanked the institutional and social support for the sport in Ciudad Real, identifying the province as a benchmark for men's, women's, adapted, and inclusive handball. He highlighted the importance of having regions with a solid fan base, competitive clubs, and a youth system that ensures the continuity of the sport.
Blázquez also praised Bolaños de Calatrava for its willingness to host the match against Israel, explaining that the Federation wanted to reciprocate this collaboration by holding the matches against Japan. He advocated for bringing international competitions to inland areas of Spain, which possess rich sporting, cultural, and tourist potential deserving greater exposure.
Patricia Saldaña also expressed her gratitude to the Federation for their commitment to the province and congratulated the Spanish players for their performance, particularly their defensive intensity and competitive level against Japan. She encouraged fans to return to the Macarena Aguilar pavilion on Saturday, 24 October, for the second friendly match and to continue supporting the Guerreras as they prepare for upcoming international commitments.
Among those in attendance were Carlos Alberto Yuste Izquierdo, the director general of Youth and Sports in Castilla-La Mancha; David Broceño, the subdelegate of the Government in Ciudad Real; Jesús Rodríguez Madridejos, president of the Castilla-La Mancha Handball Federation; Santiago Gómez Fernández, sports councillor of the Bolaños City Council; and Ana Almansa, president of the Club Balonmano Bolaños, among other institutional and sports representatives.
At the conclusion of the match, awards were presented to the standout players from both teams. Valverde and Saldaña awarded the trophy for the best player of the match to Danila So Delgado from the Spanish team, while Yuste and Broceño presented the Talent recognition to Japanese player Yuki Yoshidome.
The Spanish victory by 34-23 capped off a memorable evening of international handball, with fans from Bolaños and beyond demonstrating their strong connection to the sport. The Macarena Aguilar pavilion will once again open its doors on Saturday, 24 October, for the second and final encounter between Spain and Japan, providing another opportunity for supporters to rally behind the Guerreras and extend the extraordinary atmosphere experienced in Bolaños de Calatrava.
