Caja Mágica (pictured top) is set to undergo its final check ahead of the World Championship, which is due take place between January 11 and 27, when it hosts Spain's national team for its preliminary round Group D matches against Brazil, Chile and Japan in a four-nation test tournament that runs from tomorrow until Sunday (January 6).

The Madrid Arena was originally named as one of the venues to host the group stage of the World Championships but the tragedy at the stadium, which took place at a Halloween party at around 4am on the morning of November 1, forced the IHF to reconsider plans amid rumours of erroneous licences.

The venue was reported to have been well over capacity when the stampede occurred and did not have the necessary permission for such a massive event, where around 9,000 people were predicted to appear, but up to 19,000 may have been inside at the time of the incident.

The police subsequently argued that the Arena lacked the required permission to host events such as the World Championship due largely to the lack of security and safety measures.


"It has never had the correct permission, licence and guarantees necessary for its use as a sporting venue," explained a spokesperson from the United Police Union.

"The organisers and owners [Madrid authority] should guarantee the necessary security measures in sporting venues in agreement with the established legal requirements."

Spanish police have since arrested and charged Miguel Ángel Flores, owner of the company behind the party, for the five deaths.

The incident also casted a dark shadow over Madrid's bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as the venue, which has now been closed by the Madrid city Government, forms part of the plans for its campaign.

Meanwhile, the tournament will not only be the final test for Caja Mágica, but also for the players, particularly with the Spanish team being hit by injury in recent months.

Carlos Ruesga is set to replace team captain Raúl Entrerríos after he sustained a metacarpal bone fracture in the final training session in 2012 - Entrerríos had only become team captain when goalkeeper José Javier Hombrados tore his crucial ligament in October.

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