MADRID, 30 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The captain of the Spanish handball team, Gedeón Guardiola, recognized the important work of Jordi Ribera at the helm of the team and made it clear that everything they are achieving is “no coincidence”, while winger Ángel Fernández valued the bronze won very positively in the World Cup because they could have returned “with absolutely nothing”.
“Since Jordi joined the national team, his performance has been maximum, reaching the semifinals in almost all tournaments and winning medals. All of this is no coincidence,” Guardiola admitted to the media upon the team’s arrival in Madrid on Monday.
The man from Alicante stressed that this bronze medal leaves them with “very good feelings”. “As the championship has gone, in which we have had to suffer in several games and in which the dedication of this team has been maximum, getting a medal with all the situations we have experienced tastes like glory,” he confessed. .
“After spending ten years in the national team, it is one of the medals, it is one of the ones that leaves the best taste in my mouth. It shows that it is worth coming to train from December 27,” added the one from Petrer, who stressed “the grit and commitment of all the players and the ‘staff’ who work and train 24 hours a day so that everything goes well” as the key to success.
Guardiola remembered his “family, when you started playing handball and all those training sessions that this year have been very good and of high quality” after receiving the medal. “It’s a very nice moment when they hang it on you and you remember your family and your friends,” he stressed.
For his part, winger Ángel Fernández indicated that they were “super happy” with the bronze. “In the end, third and fourth place is almost more important than a final because either it gives you a medal or you are left with absolutely nothing. We are proud of the tournament we have held and for bringing one more medal to Spanish sport,” he celebrated.
“It was one of the most emotional matches we have played. There was a great atmosphere and that motivates us athletes a lot. Being able to get a medal and win against Sweden in Sweden is a milestone”, continued the Asturian, within the ‘Team of Stars’ of the World Cup with Alex Dujshebaev.
As a recipe for success, the player believes that it is “above all the group” and “what Jordi (Ribera) works on and how he prepares the matches”, although he did not hide that they must continue to be “humble”, “work” as they are doing and “transmit all this to the new generations that are arriving”.
Fernández thought that third place is a good prize despite the fact that they had options to reach the final. “There are several sides to look at it because we could also have been left out. Once in the semifinals you want everything and when you get out you are left with a bad taste in your mouth for a few bad first minutes, but a bronze is a very good trophy”, warned the winger who thanked the fans for their support, whom they felt “very close”. “Let’s hope next time we don’t make them suffer so much,” he wished.