Men’s Team Dominates Group Stage

The Spanish Rugby Sevens team, coached by Paco Hernández, has defied expectations at the Hong Kong leg of the World Series, securing a coveted spot in the semifinals. After an initial setback against Kenya, the team demonstrated resilience and skill, ultimately topping their group with a decisive victory over Great Britain.

the path to the top wasn’t easy. A surprising defeat against Kenya (0-19) put Spain’s qualification in jeopardy. Though, the team responded with determination, first overcoming France, the Olympic champions, and then facing a formidable Great Britain side.

Victory Over France Sets the Stage

Against France, Spain showcased their fighting spirit, recovering from a 0-12 deficit to secure a 19-12 victory. This win was crucial,but the ultimate test lay ahead: a match against Great Britain where a meaningful win was needed to secure a top-two finish in the group.

Decisive Win Against Great Britain

Prior to the Spain-great Britain match, France defeated Kenya 14-7, meaning Spain only needed a win to guarantee a top-two spot. However, Hernández’s team went above and beyond, dominating Great Britain with a final score of 26-12, securing the top spot in their group.

Alejandro Laforga set the tone early, giving Spain the led.Before halftime, Edu López and Manu Moreno extended the advantage, leaving England trailing 19-0. While the British team mounted a comeback attempt in the second half, scoring two tries, Jeremy Trevithick’s try sealed the victory for Spain, ending the game at 26-12.

Facing Fiji in the Quarterfinals

This victory maintains Spain’s extraordinary record as one of only four teams to reach the quarterfinals in every tournament of the World Rugby sevens Series. They are also the only team to consistently reach the semifinals. Though, a tough challenge awaits in the quarterfinals: a clash against Fiji, a two-time Olympic champion and currently third in the World series standings.

Fiji’s path to the quarterfinals saw them face Argentina, the current series leaders. A heavy 36-7 defeat in that match relegated Fiji to second place in their group, setting up the encounter with Spain. Given their history of close matches, the quarterfinal promises to be a thrilling contest.

Women’s Team Bounces Back After Initial Struggles

The Spanish women’s team, Las Leonas7s, faced a challenging group stage, suffering defeats against Australia and Japan. They also lost to Canada with a score of 29-10.

However, the team demonstrated resilience in the subsequent matches, securing a surprising 17-7 victory against Ireland. This win allows them to avoid the bottom two positions. Ireland will now face Great Britain to avoid finishing last.

Spain will now compete against China for ninth place, aiming for their best finish in this year’s World Series. This match represents an chance for the team to build momentum and improve their overall standing.