Optimistic voices had speculated about the potential for the Faroese women’s handball team, led by Lív Zachariansen, to pull off a stunning upset against the world-renowned Spanish squad in their second match of the World Cup final in the Netherlands and Germany. Teitur Joensen, a seasoned commentator, voiced doubts about the Spaniards’ performance in their opening match against Paraguay.
But to face one of the strongest handball nations—one that has consistently reached the finals of major international competitions—seemed a daunting task for the Faroese. The mere thought felt almost absurd.
For anyone who questioned whether the Faroese women could muster the energy and tenacity to battle the formidable Spanish players, Lív Zachariasen and Pernille Brandenborg epitomized the fighting spirit of their team.
In the first half, the Spanish players displayed strategic prowess on the defensive front, managing to draw mistakes from Súni Hansen and her teammates, forcing them into errors and turnovers.
There were moments of frustration for the coaches as the team struggled to convert opportunities into points, racking up too many technical errors. It was almost a relief that the Faroese trailed by only three goals at halftime.
Jana Mittún had pledged to improve her shooting performance against Spain compared to her outing against Montenegro, where the Faroese had come agonizingly close to claiming points. True to her word, Jana came alive on the attack, netting six goals and invigorating her teammates.
In the second half, the Faroese women began to shift the momentum. Suddenly, it was the Spaniards who were missing chances and making uncharacteristic mistakes.
Before anyone could register the change, Claus Møller and his squad had surged ahead by a goal, largely thanks to the exceptional performance of goalkeeper Rakul “The Wall” Wardum.
In a nail-biting final minute, Spain squandered an opportunity to equalize, leaving the Faroese with possession and less than a minute on the clock. With a clever play, the coaches set up Jana Mittún for a prime scoring opportunity. Jana did not falter, delivering the decisive goal to seal the game at 27-26.
The jubilant celebrations that followed were nearly indescribable, as the players seemed to struggle to grasp the magnitude of their victory.
The standout star for the Faroese was 21-year-old sensation Rakul Wardum, whose performance in goal was nothing short of spectacular. Facing 38 shots from the Spanish side, she made 15 saves, achieving an impressive save percentage of 39%. That’s world-class performance.
The overwhelming support from Faroese fans played a crucial role during these tense moments. While Rakul stood firm as a wall for her team, the fervent crowd behind her created an equally formidable barrier of encouragement.
In the stands, the sheer joy was palpable, with adult men visibly moved by the historic victory.
Tears flowed among the players, who could hardly comprehend that they had actually triumphed over Spain, etching their names into the annals of Faroese sports history.
November 28, 2025, is a date that will forever resonate in the hearts of the Faroese people.
