What Is 2015-16 Copa de la Reina de Balonmano

Overview

The 2015–16 Copa de la Reina de Balonmano marked the 57th edition of Spain’s premier national cup competition for women’s handball clubs. Held at Palau d'Esports de Granollers from April 1 to April 3, 2016, the tournament featured the top four teams from the Liga ASOBAL Femenina regular season standings.

Organized by the Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM), the event followed a single-elimination format over a long weekend. BM Bera Bera emerged as champions, defeating CBF Málaga 27–25 in a tightly contested final, securing their second title after previously winning in 2013.

• BM Bera Bera won the 2015–16 Copa de la Reina by defeating CBF Málaga 27–25 in the final match held on April 3, 2016.
• The tournament was hosted in Granollers, Catalonia, a traditional hub for Spanish handball, at the Palau d'Esports de Granollers.
• Only the top four teams from the 2015–16 Liga ASOBAL Femenina regular season qualified for the Copa de la Reina.
• BM Bera Bera claimed their second Copa de la Reina title, their first since winning in 2013.
• The competition used a final-four format, with semifinals on April 2 and the final on April 3, 2016.

How It Works

The Copa de la Reina de Balonmano is structured as a knockout cup competition featuring the highest-performing teams from Spain’s top-tier women’s handball league. The 2015–16 edition followed this standard format, with strict qualification criteria and a short tournament window.

• Qualification: The top four teams from the first half of the Liga ASOBAL Femenina season qualified automatically. These included Bera Bera, Málaga, Gijón, and Rocasa Gran Canaria.
• Tournament Dates: The event spanned three days, from April 1 to April 3, 2016, with semifinals on Saturday and the final on Sunday.
• Venue: The Palau d'Esports de Granollers hosted the event, a venue with a capacity of over 5,000 and a history of hosting major handball events.
• Match Format: Each game was played in two halves of 30 minutes each, with a 10–15 minute halftime break, following standard international handball rules.
• Final Outcome: The winner, BM Bera Bera, earned the title and a potential berth in European competition, though the Copa de la Reina itself does not grant European qualification.
• Refereeing: Matches were officiated by RFEBM-certified referees, with video review available for critical decisions during the final stages.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2015–16 Copa de la Reina can be better understood by comparing it to previous editions and other domestic cup competitions in European handball.

This comparison highlights how Spain’s Copa de la Reina maintains a compact, final-four format, unlike Germany’s broader DHB-Pokal. The consistency in format and elite-team participation underscores its prestige in Spanish women’s handball.

Why It Matters

The 2015–16 Copa de la Reina de Balonmano was significant not only for its competitive outcome but also for its role in promoting women’s handball in Spain. As one of the most prestigious domestic tournaments, it spotlighted elite female athletes and contributed to the sport’s visibility.

• BM Bera Bera’s victory reinforced their status as a dominant force in Spanish women’s handball during the 2010s.
• The tournament provided national exposure for women’s handball, with live broadcasts and media coverage increasing public interest.
• Participation in the Copa de la Reina serves as a motivational benchmark for clubs aiming to compete at the highest domestic level.
• Young players from teams like Rocasa Gran Canaria gained valuable experience in high-pressure knockout matches.
• The event strengthened Granollers’ reputation as a handball-centric city, hosting numerous RFEBM-sanctioned events over the years.
• Winning the cup boosted team morale and sponsorship appeal, even though no European berth was awarded.

Ultimately, the 2015–16 edition exemplified the growing professionalism and competitiveness of women’s handball in Spain, setting a standard for future tournaments and inspiring broader investment in the sport.