Macarena Aguilar: "Handball is my life"

Itxako´s gifted centre-back Macarena Aguilar talks to ehfCL.com about her side´s EHF Champions League experience, the injury problems within the team, and the qualification for the Main Round.

ehfCL.com: You have again qualified for the Main Round of the Champions League - how do you feel about this and was there a celebration afterwards?

Macarena Aguilar: I’m very happy and satisfied. To be among the best eight teams is very important for us, because we are playing against great teams. In addition, we can be the first of the group and we will fight for that.

It’s a pity but we don’t have much time to celebrate right now. We go from the court to the bus, or the airport to another court. There’s really only time to play, but we’ll find a little time to celebrate too, of course.

ehfCL.com: Itxako had some injury problems at the beginning of the season. What is the shape of the team right now, and how would you compare this year´s team to that of last year?

Macarena Aguilar: It was a hard start of season. Begoña Fernández and Nerea Pena were out for some months and they are very important for us. We’ve qualified for the Main Round but Begoña hasn’t played even one minute in the competition. It was a difficult road to the next round. The team gave their best and forgot about these injuries. We know that we are able to overcome negative moments. It’s difficult to compare this team to that of the past. We only know that we were able to qualify.

ehfCL.com: The club surprised everyone last year by being equal opponents to Larvik in the CL final. Is there a secret behind your success? Can you repeat last year´s performance this season?

Macarena Aguilar: Our secret is not really a secret. We work very hard every day and only think about the next game. This is the key to our success. We prepare for the next game as we did the last, and try to give our best always. It will be difficult to repeat our last season’s performance, but you can be sure that we’ll try to improve upon it.

ehfCL.com: I think you’ve been keeping an eye on the other groups as well. Have there been any surprises for you, and which team(s) would you like to meet / avoid in the Main Round?

Macarena Aguilar: The most equal group right now is B. Larvik, Viborg and Krim will play for two places on the last day. Three very good teams fighting will give a great show I’m sure. It’s evident that a good team will be out of the Main Round. French Metz got very important results against hard opponents Győr and Randers. We have not thought about our next rivals yet. We only think about the next game.

ehfCL.com: You´ve played a great season so far. What gives you the strength and motivatation to go on-court and play?

Macarena Aguilar: Thank you! I love handball, this is my life. I don’t need extra motivation to train or play. It’s true that I have found a great group in Itxako and this helps me even more. The club, the city, the team-mates… everything is perfect for playing in Estella. 

ehfCL.com: In the last round you will meet Oltchim, the team that inflicted your only defeat this season. Is it time for revenge? What tactics will you need to beat the Romanians?

Macarena Aguilar: We don´t ever play for revenge. We only fight for two points. Our objective is first place of the group, no more. They beat us in Estella and have shown that they are a very good team. We don’t have any problem with them and we know that it will be a demanding game. I don’t know which tactics are best, but I’m sure that we’ll prepare perfectly this match. We have to concentrate and play at the top of our game.