Coach Jordi Ribera’s side created history as a new defensive approach, a brilliant game from centre back Raul Entrerrios, and the sheer experience their players brought to the court earned European gold five years after they had won the world title - and just two years after they had lost the last European final to Germany.

Sweden’s goalkeeper Mikael Appelgren was in majestic form, helping his side take an early grip on the game with a 9-6 lead.

But Spain, helped by four first half goals from Ferran Sole, kept in touch, and after changing their traditional 6-0 line up to a more aggressive 4-2, they went in at half-time only 12-14 down.

The game turned around decisively in the first 12 minutes of the second half, however, as Spain scored eight goals to Sweden’s one, emerging from this hot streak as 20-15 leaders.

Spain’s 38-year-old Arpad Sterbik, a late call-up before the semi-final due to Gonzalo Perez de Vargas’ injury, was superb in goal for during the game-winning run, saving eight shots.

As they lost their cool, Sweden recorded nine turnovers in the second half alone – scoring only three times in the first 22 minutes – while Spain ran riot in attack.

Centre back Entrerrios was instrumental and it was no surprise that Ribera’s side created an unassailable 23-16 lead after 49 minutes.

The battered Sweden side found it impossible to attempt a comeback, while Spain celebrated their first ever title much to their joy of their fans,

Spain are now directly qualified for the World Championship 2019, to be held in Denmark and Germany, while Sweden, who lost the European Championships final for the first time ever, will contest the play-offs against The Netherlands.

World champions France won the bronze medal match 32-29 against Denmark, their victors in the final of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

France’s current World Player of the Year Nikola Karabatic scored his 250th goal in the competition, top-scoring with nine and earning his fourth Euro medal in what was his 60th European Championship match. 

Unsurprisingly he was voted player of the match.

Meanwhile, in Suwon in South Korea, Qatar earned their third Asian Men's Handball title with a 33-31 win over Bahrain after trailing 17-18 at half-time in the Suwon Gymnasium.

Qatar, for whom Frankis Marzo and Bertrand Roiné each top-scored with eight goals, thus earned qualification for next year's World Championships.

Earlier in the day, South Korea had delighted the home crowd by winning the bronze medal match against Saudi Arabia by 29-21, with Yoon Kyung-shin providing nine of their goals.