Albert Rocas: “You need luck to win the CL”

The 28-year old right winger of Barcelona talks about the chances of his club to win the CL. He also tells us what it feels to play in one of the best clubs in the world.

Q: You defeated Szeged and Celje in the away matches. Barcelona are on the right way to win Group 4. Which match will be decisive?

Albert Rocas: By winning in Szeged we practically secured our first position. Taking in consideration that Gudme defeated Celje at home and that we have two more home matches to play, we are very close to reaching the first place for sure. By winning in Szeged we showed that we are able to win the CL. It's not easy to win in Szeged.

Q: You are world champion with the Spanish national team, Asobal league winner with Portland San Antonio and winner of the Cup Winners' Cup with Valladolid. The only title missing is the CL. Are Barcelona ready to win this season?

Albert Rocas: We have a team that can win the CL, but it will be very hard. I played CL finals with Portland against Ciudad Real and we were severely defeated. It doesn't matter how strong your team is. The most important is to have luck and to play these two matches the best way you can. Also, it is very important to play well in the away match. And of course, you can do for your luck with great fighting spirit and self-sacrifice.

Q: Who are the favourites for the CL?

Albert Rocas: This season there is Kiel, Ciudad Real, Barcelona and Hamburg. There are lots of good teams and lots of matches to be played, so everything is possible, we will see. In the semi-finals, it will be very important to play the second match at home. But that does not mean that you can play badly at the first match.

Q: What is it like to play for Barcelona, one of the most famous handball clubs of Europe? Is this the peak of your carrier or you maybe have plans for the period after Barcelona?

Albert Rocas: There is nothing else after Barcelona. We all know what club we are talking about. It was really great in Pamplona, everybody loved me there and the city was beautiful. But I could not compare to Barcelona for financial reasons. My biggest motivation to come here was my Catalan origin. Now I’m in my city with my family, with my team. I want to win everything what can be won, because I’m only one of the few native Catalonians in the team.

Q: You played a long time for Portland. What is the main difference between Portland and Barcelona.

Albert Rocas: Barcelona is the greatest handball club in the world. There is football and many other sports here. There is a lot of pressure on us, because Barcelona cannot be second, only first. In Pamplona it's not a tragedy if you end up as second or even third.

Q: Where was the better atmosphere among the players? In Barcelona or in Pamplona?

Albert Rocas: I was very lucky to play in Pamplona and also in Barcelona with many friends from the national team. So for me, it's the same. Barcelona is a city with five million people and it is difficult to hang out because we are very far from each other. We also travel a lot, so I try to spend my free time with my family.