Balonmano Barakaldo has opened its league campaign with three dominant victories, climbing to the summit of the standings and igniting genuine belief within the club following a turbulent period that nearly saw the Basque side slip out of regional competition.
Three Dominant Victories Open League Play
The Barakaldo squad secured comprehensive wins over their opening opponents, dispatching Trapagaran 17–38, defeating Saizar Usurbil 34–21, and overcoming Uharte 25–34. These lopsided margins place the team at the top of the table early in the season, validating a strategic shift toward youth development implemented after a narrow escape from relegation to the Liga Vasca two years ago.
A Extended Preseason and Youth Experience Fuel the Start
Santi Abascal attributed the strong beginning to an extended preparation window and the growing maturity of the club’s younger players. «We have done a longer preseason than other years, and the young players who started last year with the first team already have experience,» Abascal explained. The roster blends homegrown talent with two or three external acquisitions designed to elevate the squad’s overall quality.
Targeting Promotion After Years of Academy Focus
While the club avoided sporting relegation administratively two seasons ago, the close call prompted management to lean heavily on a youth system that was simultaneously yielding strong results at the juvenile level. That patience is now paying dividends as the team builds on a fourth-place finish and 42 points from the previous campaign. Abascal remains ambitious yet pragmatic regarding the months ahead, stating that the objective is to surpass last year’s points total and contend for a promotion playoff spot, even as he acknowledges that securing actual promotion remains a difficult task in a competitive category.
