EHF Champions League introduces:
László Nagy (FC Barcelona) – part 4/4  

Despite his young age, born in 1981, László Nagy is the second longest serving current Barcelona player (after goalkeeper Barrufet). The Hungarian was transferred to the Catalonians in 2000 and he has soon become a standard player of the team. His most important titles with the club are Spanish Championship (2002/03 and 2005/06), EHF Cup (2002/03) and most of all, the Champions League trophy (2004/05).

As Eurohandball.com reported on Monday, László Nagy suffered a serious wrist injury during the weekend’s Spanish Super Cup game. The first diagnosis proved to be correct and the player has already been operated to fix the broken right wrist. Nagy feels better now and he talks to Eurohandball.com again.

Eurohandball.com: Tell us Laci: is this injury more painful or more embarrassing for you?

László Nagy: It was painful, even the night after the operation, but now it’s okay. The pain – with some painkillers – is not so strong anymore.

But you know, an injury never comes the right time – this one especially not. We have a new coach, new team and I played well so far. Now I have to calculate with a two-month stop; I will be back early November according to the doctors.

Eurohandball.com: What’s happened?

László Nagy: We played the Super Cup final against Ciudad Real. I wanted to shoot when I was pushed in the air. I tried to break the fall with my right hand, but I felt – and saw – the problem right after falling on the court. There was a whole in my wrist and the doctor confirmed what I also saw: it was broken.

I was sorry also because I felt the confidence of the coach, we had the lead and I played well… Many people told me afterwards that my injury was decisive in the game.

Eurohandball.com: What is your consolation at the moment?

László Nagy: I’m happy that it happened with my right hand, not with the shooting one. The positive consequence is that I can spend more time with my daughter and wife now. I try to look on the bright side of things and I hope to come back as soon as possible. If all goes well, I can start light trainings, biking, in a week from now.

Eurohandball.com: Is it going to be the first longer period you can spend with your little daughter?

László Nagy: No, we were lucky that she was born on 20 June this summer. I could stay with her until 2 August as there were no matches, trainings, nothing.

Eurohandball.com: Do you get messages from home?

László Nagy: It took time for the news to get to Hungary. I talked about the matter only with László Skaliczki, coach of the national team, but some people, the Secretary General, for example called me already. It is a good feeling to get these encouraging messages.

Eurohandball.com: It is very good news, however, that you can return in such a short time. It also means that you will take part in the season of Barcelona. What are your expectations for 2007/08?

László Nagy: As I told you before, at all times 100% is expected in Barcelona. We must win all the competitions we start. The club guarantees high quality players, coach and a positive atmosphere for the successes.

Eurohandball.com: There will be some tough matches and opponents on the way, though.

László Nagy: Yes, we have difficult opponents, but we are on the right track. We proved it on Sunday already when we lost against Ciudad Real only by two goals with all these problems.

If we continue like this and we are able to keep this form, we will have a chance against any team.

Eurohandball.com: This will be a very long season for you – at least you hope…

László Nagy: The last Spanish league game will be on 20 May to leave time for the preparations before the Olympic Games. In order to reach the Olympic Games, we still have to qualify with Hungary through the European Championships in January.

Eurohandball.com: Do you think it is possible?

László Nagy: We have to improve the team play we showed at the World Championship. We lost a very important game against Russia with some bad luck, but the performance of the team was positive.

The biggest opponents going for the same objective at euro 2008 will be Norway and Sweden. Norway play at home, while Sweden have been doing well in the last two years despite missing important events.

It is important for us to avoid injuries and I also heard about a possible comeback of Carlos Perez to the national team. This would mean a lot mentally and for our play as well. Diaz would also be important, just as a Puljezevic in top form, not disturbed by back injuries. This way, together with the rest of the team, Hungary can be successful.

Eurohandball.com: Do you think of 2013 already? This is the year when your contract ends with Barcelona…

László Nagy: I don’t have exact plans. It is too far away at the moment, I will still be only 32 and I would like to continue for some more years if injuries will not stop me. However, when I really have to end my career, I would gladly stay inside handball or inside the club. Simply because I’m really interested in handball…

While Eurohandball.com wishes all the best to László Nagy for the upcoming period of recovery, we end our interview series with the Barcelona player.

Next week we will come back with another Champions League star who won (almost) everything possible during his career… Don't miss it.

Previously:

EHF Champions League introduces: László Nagy – part 1/4
EHF Champions League introduces: László Nagy – part 2/4
EHF Champions League introduces: László Nagy – part 3/4