Juanin to bow out in style

After nine years with the club, Juanin Garcia is set to leave FC Barcelona at the end of the season. The left wing was crucial in his only VELUX EHF Champions League title win in 2011 and he tells ehfCL.com of his thoughts ahead of departing the team and his desire to repeat that success before he leaves.

ehfCL.com: At the press conference announcing your departure, you said that your time at Barcelona way the best nine years of your life. What made it so special?

Juanín Garcia: We have done very well in Barcelona and I felt as if was at home here. You only have to see the titles to realise how successful we were. We have won a lot of championships and enjoyed many good moments. These really were the best nine years of my life.

ehfCL.com: How are the last days in Barça?

Juanín Garcia: I have mixed feelings. I am delighted to be here, but sad because it is coming to an end. I am looking forward the FINAL4. I want to do it well, help the team and hopefully we can finish the season well.

ehfCL.com: What were the best and the worst moments of your time at Barça?

Juanín Garcia: The best was the day we won the Champions League. I hadn’t won this title yet, and it took a lot to win. I arrived in Barcelona in 2005 and I had to wait until 2011 to win it for the first and only time.

The worst moments were the times in Cologne when we lost, especially the first one. Another will be when I leave the team, it will be very difficult to say goodbye.

ehfCL.com: After Ademar León, Barcelona is the second club of your professional handball career. Do you know where you will play next season?

Juanín Garcia: I am calm about it, so I prefer to think and take a decision after the season. If I decide to keep playing is because there is a team that wants me. If I had no team I would have to retire.

ehfCL.com: Barca is a team built it to win the VELUX EHF Champions League. Do you feel pressured?

Juanín Garcia: Whenever you play at Barça, you feel that pressure. You have to learn to live with the pressure of winning. Winning is a must, but only one team can. We understand that, and the team has a winning mentality and is not afraid of the pressure. We will do everything possible to take the title.

ehfCL.com: Is it a failure will not win the Champions League?

Juanín Garcia: If we had not reached Cologne, yes, but the FINAL4 is only two games over a weekend. The semi-final is against a German team in it home and to win against a German team in Germany we know is very difficult.   We know they can hurt us in many ways. Flensburg is a very complete team, similar to us.

ehfCL.com: How are the days leading up to the VELUX EHF FINAL4?

Juanín Garcia: We are living quiet, knowing that is the last title of the year. We are looking forward that weekend and eager to compete, which is why we are prepared. These kinds of games are what we like to play and the reason for we are handball players. Everyone likes to play and we are lucky to be playing that Final Four.