In the summer of 2013, the most successful club of the Spanish women's handball, Itxako de Navarra, closed due to economic problems: a debt that touched the two million euros. Gone is a decade of glory (four league titles and a Champions League final), with legendary players like Macarena Aguilar , Carmen Martín , Eli Pinedo or, the now captain of Las Guerreras, Silvia Navarro .

That disappearance marked the beginning of the crisis that still suffers the female handball in Spain. The players of the new generation, who have gradually appeared in the national team, have been forced to go abroad from a young age in search of opportunities. Before, this escape occurred after accumulating a certain route in the domestic championship. And the reason is not only economic , but sporty. For six years now, no Spanish team has played in the Champions League. The last, the Bera Bera, in the 2013/14 academic year.

"I wish there were more sponsors and more investment in the league," says Alicia Fernández from Japan, where Spain is playing today (12.30 pm, Teledeporte) against Norway the World Cup semifinal. "Those of us who play outside would love to be able to return home, but for that there have to be many changes, starting with the professionalization of the championship," explains the Hungarian Ramnicu Valcea central. She, together with Almudena Rodríguez and Ainhoa ​​Hernández , represents that new generation that has taken over from the triumphs of the past.

"Investment is needed"

"In recent years new players have been arriving, but the most important thing is that the fundamental pillars of the team are maintained," said the 26-year-old Galician center. The transition started two years ago by the coach, Carlos Viver , in which flagship players like Marta Mangué or Macarena Aguilar came out of the calls, has seen its fruits in this World Cup. Previous step, yes, for the slips of Rio de Janeiro 2016 and the subsequent World Cup. «We go for everything; We have already achieved the goal of the Pre-Olympic and now we have nothing to lose, ”he says.

Eli Pinedo, Olympic medalist in London 2012 and also participates in the bronze of the World Cup in Brazil'2011, is optimistic: «At the beginning, when there is a relay, many doubts arise. It was always thought that this promotion that we got the medals was not going to be repeated ... and here we are, in the semifinals ». 10 of the 17 components of the squad play abroad . «It is normal; the league needs money to be able to retain the promises, "says Pinedo, who agrees with Alicia Fernández:" Investment is needed. " «In my last stage at Bera Bera I received offers from abroad that tripled my salary. It is difficult to compete with the Romanian or German championships, ”says the now television commentator.

The initial objective, the Pre-Olympic, has given way to the real possibility of hanging a medal. «Our defense will be the key against Norway; we have to fold fast, avoid transitions and do not make easy goals, ”says Alicia Fernández, a daughter of the club crisis experienced by the Spanish female handball.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports
  • handball

HandballWarriors, for everything in a round trip World Cup

HandballDebut sweeping of Las Guerreras against Romania

Handball Spain confirms before Hungary its magnificent sensations