17 goals in one game: Chuchi's record still stands

In 25 years of majestic handball, the VELUX EHF Champions League has produced many emotional moments. But no other player has had a more dominating performance in a single match than Jesus ‘Chuchi’ Martinez de la Cal.

It was 11 November 2009, few weeks before his 29^th birthday, when the Pevafersa Valladolid left wing had the game of his life. In a group phase match, he singlehandedly tore apart A.C. PAOK by scoring 17 goals in his team’s 37:27 away win against the Greek side.

“If I remember correctly, I scored 14 goals in a domestic league game and had similar performances in amateur games,” Martinez tells ehfCL.com more than eight years later.

“But I had never scored 17 goals in one professional game. And to have such a dominating performance on handball’s biggest stage was an amazing feeling,” he adds.

"17 goals? Wow, amazing!"

Against the Greek side, Martinez was unstoppable, scoring from almost every position. Only three of his 17 goals came from penalties, while he remembers that he scored five times from fast breaks.

“We had a quality team, we used to mix up the game a lot,” Martinez says. “I always said that if you are a quality team, you should rely on the wings, because they can bring the element of surprise. We did just that against PAOK and it helped me elevate my game. 17 goals? Wow, amazing!”

Martinez played 10 seasons for Valladolid, winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2009 with the Spanish outfit.

“Scoring 17 times in one game is one of the fondest memories I have in life and in my professional career, but I think my proudest moment in handball was winning the Cup Winners’ Cup with Valladolid,” Martinez says.

"I miss handball a lot now"

Now 37, the former left wing quit handball eight years ago after a series of injuries.

“I miss handball a lot now, but that’s the way it is,” he says, adding he is still closely following the sport and never misses an important VELUX EHF Champions League game.

He might be a little biased when asked about his favourite player in the competition as Raul Entrerrios was his teammate in Valladolid before he joined FC Barcelona in 2010.

“He is a very good player with an immense handball IQ, very good both in defence and in attack,” Martinez says about the centre back. “He has the experience to lead and we saw that leadership when Spain won the Men’s EHF EURO 2018.”

As for the winners of this year’s VELUX EHF Champions League, Martinez sees a wide-open race with several favourites.

“I must admit I like it when I see Spanish players in all the powerhouses in the competition,” he says. “I do not think there is a favourite to win it right now, as we saw Vardar take everyone by surprise last season. PSG, Vardar, Barcelona, Kielce are the usual suspects once again, but it is hard to pinpoint the winners right now.”