“I can nonetheless contribute rather a lot to the workforce”
Gideón Guardiola (Petrel, Alicante, October 1, 1984) has spent greater than a decade within the senior handball workforce with which he has gained gold and bronze on the 2013 and 2021 World Championships; he has been 3 times European champion (2016, 2018 and 2020), continental runner-up in 2016 and 2022 and bronze in 2014. On the Tokyo 2020 Video games he gained the bronze medal. Now, as captain of Los Hispanos, he aspires to enlarge that file within the imminent World Cup that can be held in Poland and Sweden from January 11 to 29 and that the workforce is making ready today at its focus in Valencia.
How produce other Christmases been with the workforce?
Properly, the reality is that I am used to having a busy Christmas, it is all the time an excellent signal, it means they’re relying on you. Being within the nationwide workforce and representing Spain is all the time a supply of delight. It’s true that these are particular dates and that I may very well be with the household, however they encourage me and assist me. They know that the nationwide workforce is necessary to me.
Dropping within the semifinals in Tokyo was a really arduous blow however that motivates me now to attempt once more in Paris 2024
How about these first days of labor in Valencia?
It’s the second the place we prepare the toughest, with extra depth. The coaching periods are lengthy for the gamers to slot in, they’re demanding days.
As workforce captain, do you’re feeling extra duty?
It is a totally different function, final yr I used to be captain and it was an excellent expertise. My function is for the workforce to be nearly as good as doable, for us to reap the benefits of the time, to encourage the boys after we are drained.
Take over from illustrious captains similar to Hombrados or the Entrerríos brothers
Sure, it was one thing sudden, though it’s true that he had been within the nationwide workforce for a very long time. Jordi Ribera determined that he was me and it’s an honor. I’ve discovered from these magnificent captains that the workforce has had over time.
His picture crying after dropping to Denmark within the semifinals of the Tokyo Video games moved us all. At the moment he thought of leaving the workforce. What led you to proceed?
It was a tough stick, at that second many emotions got here collectively. He thought we may get to the Olympic closing, it will have been a milestone for Spanish handball, one thing this era deserved. I admit that it gave me a downturn however then I’ve verified that I can proceed enjoying within the Bundesliga at a excessive stage and that, subsequently, I can nonetheless contribute issues to the nationwide workforce. Jordi continues to belief me. That doesn’t imply that he comes relaxed, for me coming to the nationwide workforce is a most requirement.
“So long as I can proceed enjoying within the Bundesliga at an excellent stage, I am not contemplating leaving the nationwide workforce, it is a precedence for me”
The coach, Jordi Ribera, is main the generational transition in an exemplary manner. How do you reside from inside?
Jordi bets rather a lot with the mix of veterans and children. It is a formulation that works on and off the observe. Generational change is inevitable. Veterans attempt to convey expertise.
They arrive from profitable the bronze in Tokyo and the silver within the European this yr. Do you’re feeling favorites within the World Cup?
We had a fantastic European and now within the World Cup we’ll see if it was not a coincidence. We go along with all of the humility, we go along with the targets of going step-by-step, we’ve got an accessible group however the crosses are extra demanding, there we’ll see our stage of reality. The World Cup has the motivation of the champion reaching direct qualification for the Paris 2024 Video games. That may give us a yr and a half of peace of thoughts. As well as, a world champion title has nice worth.
I assume you do not wish to retire with out experiencing an Olympic closing first… and win it if doable.
I want!. My intention is to work to succeed in the Paris Video games or no less than qualify for Spain, it’s a lengthy and troublesome course of. First we’ve got the World Cup, then worldwide matches, the matches with my membership after which the European, you need to go step-by-step.
Handball is continuous. Yearly there’s a nice championship. How do you deal with the stress?
It is good as a result of we’ve got extra alternatives to expertise these tournaments. It is good that yearly we’ve got a fantastic date and give attention to profitable titles.
You’ve got been within the German Bundesliga since 2012 and in Lemgo since 2020. Will it proceed subsequent season?
I wish to proceed in Germany. I believe it is the strongest league on the earth, I have been right here for ten years now and I believe it is good for the nationwide workforce to maintain me at a excessive stage.
Of the 21 gamers concentrated in Valencia, solely 2 play in Spain. What is occurring?
Handball is a mirrored image of different areas of society, simply as there’s a ‘mind drain’ of medical scientists… the identical factor occurs to us, the circumstances of worldwide golf equipment are higher each economically and on the stage of sports activities challenges. In Spain the golf equipment usually are not as skilled as in Europe, it’s one thing advanced and troublesome to vary.
From 5 to 7 they play in Benidorm the Worldwide Event of Spain, the final take a look at earlier than the World Cup. Do you anticipate the go to of many kinfolk and buddies out of your city, Petrel?
Sure, it makes me very excited. Since we’re in Germany, we see only a few of us, so kinfolk like individuals from Petrel and Elda will come to see me. For the followers it’s also a novel alternative to see the workforce, in Alicante there’s a nice custom of handball.
They not too long ago gave him the award for finest athlete of the yr within the province of Alicante. Proud?
After all, I’m proud to characterize Petrel and the complete province of Alicante wherever I’m going, I’m very grateful for the assist they offer me.
What do you consider the opposite Valencian within the workforce, Josep Folqués?
I’m very glad as a result of there had not been one other Valencian within the nationwide workforce for a few years. I believe he’s a participant with a fantastic future, Jordi is following him intently and it’s good that he’s now coming into the dynamics of the nationwide workforce and gaining expertise.
