Last signings, first trainings
While the preparation for the Olympics comes to an end for some, others are now going back to work in preparation for the next season. Last week was all about running, lifting and sweating, except for some, who crossed Europe to purchase their dreams.
Alberto remains in Nantes
After a long and rich career, Alberto Entrerrios decided to retire at the end of last season, but few knew that the Spanish EHF Champions League winner wanted to join the HBC Nantes staff.
“I'm very proud and I want to give back to the club,” he claimed on Twitter. Now speaking fluently in French, he will be the assistant coach of the French side, who will be taking part in the Champions League for the first time this season.
Rodrigo Corrales for another Polish ride
After playing for two seasons for Orlen Wisla Plock, Rodrigo Corrales decided to remain for one more year. Before moving to Paris-Saint-Germain next summer, the Spanish goalkeeper decided that the easiest thing to do was to stay one more season in Poland. The news was made official on Wednesday during the club’s press conference, which saw another new face, Croatian Sime Ivic, join in.
Rodrigo Corrales was not the only signing to be announced as Plock also welcomes another familiar Champions League face. Portuguese Gilberto Duarte has also decided to join from FC Porto for the next three seasons.
Hard work begins
Many major clubs resumed their training schedule this week, and although we are safe from joining the players on the running track, you can only imagine what it is like to run in such heat.
In Germany, Rhein-Neckar Löwen will face a hard challenge this season. Now titleholders of the Bundesliga crown, they will have to defend their crown, while attempting to reach the VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 in June. With only a handful of players playing at the Olympics, almost the full squad gathered in Kronau to sweat.
Flensburg-Handewitt, on the other hand, used their usual trip to Sweden to enjoy some beach handball. But it was not all fun and games, as you can imagine. What looked, at first sight, like a playground, turned into a square of torture with plenty of climbing, lifting, jumping and pulling. Coach Ljubo seemed pleased with the effort as he posted his men in action.
You could almost feel their arms and their legs aching, but looking at the final result, you could see what they were working for.
Pick Szeged as well chose to do the things the unusual way. Was it Juan Carlos Pastor's idea to use kayaks to mix up with fans? Well, the Spanish coach seemed to enjoy himself. On long boats resembling drakkars, the players shared efforts with fans at the local Tisza river. Swimmers dug their head out of the water to cheer for their local favourites, including new recruits Mario Sostaric and Sergey Gorbok.
And while some stayed at sea level, others went up high to improve their physical form. This was the case for Montpellier, whose trip to the summit of Pic Saint-Loup has now become traditional.
With new recruits Miha Zvizej and Théophile Caussé on board, they are getting ready for their third Champions League campaign in a row. In the picture, one can see a new player joined for the walk, but his signature has not been made official yet. Can you spot him?
TEXT:
Kevin Domas / cor