Irun, Spain – Despite facing a significant disadvantage in personnel, Irudek Bidasoa Irun demonstrated resilience and competitive spirit in a narrow 34-36 defeat against Montpellier HB in the European League Main Round on Sunday. The team, already eliminated from contention, finished the round without a win but left a strong impression against a team currently ranked third in the French league and the previous season’s European League runner-up.
The match, played in front of a supportive home crowd, saw Irudek Bidasoa Irun capture the field without key players Iñaki Peciña, Matheus da Silva, Rodrigo Salinas, Xavi Tuà, Gorka Nieto, and Unai Barreto. Head coach Alex Mozas was forced to rely heavily on players from the club’s youth system – Endika Wamba, Javier Gastaminza, Alex Raix, and Oihan Arruti – supplementing the core squad. This created a remarkably young lineup, with an average age of 23.5 years for the starting seven, excluding the experience of Jakub Skrzyniarz and Iñaki Cavero.
Montpellier initially established a two-goal lead (2-4), but Irudek Bidasoa Irun remained within striking distance, utilizing fast breaks to stay competitive. The first half saw a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading goals. A key turning point came midway through the first half when Irudek Bidasoa Irun implemented a strong defensive strategy, holding Montpellier scoreless for seven minutes and launching a 4-0 run. Goals from Eneko Furundarena and Esteban Salinas, fueled by strong defensive work from Marko Jevtic, helped the home side level the score at 18-18 by halftime, having scored seven goals on the counterattack compared to Montpellier’s six.
The second half saw Montpellier regain the upper hand, building a five-goal advantage (23-28, 24-29). However, Irudek Bidasoa Irun refused to concede, with goalkeeper Maciel entering the game and making crucial saves that sparked another comeback attempt. The team narrowed the gap to two goals (30-32) and, fueled by the energy of the crowd, benefited from two consecutive Montpellier exclusions, playing with a two-man advantage for 80 seconds. Iñaki Cavero capitalized, scoring three consecutive goals to bring the score to 33-34 with just three minutes remaining.
Despite the late surge, Montpellier managed to hold on for the 34-36 victory. The Irudek Bidasoa Irun players received a standing ovation from the fans for their determined performance. The team’s effort is particularly notable considering their depleted roster and the quality of their opponent, who recently challenged league leaders PSG.
Jakub Skrzyniarz led Irudek Bidasoa Irun in goal with 8 saves, while Iñaki Cavero topped the scoring charts with 7 goals (including 2 penalty shots). Other key contributors included Alex Raix and Esteban Salinas with 3 and 4 goals respectively. For Montpellier, Bolzinger recorded 5 saves, and Simonet, Villeminot, and Lenne each scored 6 goals.
The match similarly included a moment of silence to honor Alicia Arana, a former director of Club Deportivo Bidasoa.
This game showcased the depth and potential within the Irudek Bidasoa Irun organization, even in the face of adversity. While the European League campaign concludes with no wins in the Main Round, the team’s performance against Montpellier demonstrates a commitment to competitive handball and a promising future.
Looking ahead, Irudek Bidasoa Irun will return to action on Saturday, hosting Barcelona in the same venue. This will be a challenging match against one of the top teams in Europe, but the team will undoubtedly draw strength from their spirited performance against Montpellier. The match is scheduled for a local start time to be announced, which will be approximately [Time to be confirmed] CET.
Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress and schedule through the official Irudek Bidasoa Irun website and social media channels. The team’s dedication and resilience, even in the absence of key players, are a testament to the strength of the club and its commitment to developing young talent.
