02.08.2007, 10:06
Portland San Antonio Starts Preparations

Javier Cabanas takes coaching over from Javier Equisoain and life goes on in Pamplona. The objectives of the club remain unchanged.

Portland San Antonio Starts Preparations

Portland begins the new season – the first season after the goodbye of legendary coach, Javier Equisoian. There were a couple of new faces at the first workday in Pamplona: Javier Cabanas, Fernando Hernandez and Cristian Malmagro. The club reach an agreement with another handballer (a goalkeeper) but they are still waiting with his presentation to finalise all official documents. On the other hand, Hvidt, Lozano and Rocas will not play for San Antonio next year. All of them will join Barcelona.

Life after Equisoian

Javier Equisoain was the coach of the team for almost fifteen years. Javier Cabanas arrives in Pamplona after successful seasons in Altea to replace the legend. It is not the only change on the San Antonio bench: former Romanian international goalkeeper, Alexandru Buligan, will be the assistant coach and he will replace Patxi Lezaun, working with Equisoain for 10 years. In addition, Buligan will work with the goalkeepers, keeping his former functions as well.

German Dirk Beuchler was another new face. Beuchler was the pivot of Portland between 2001 and 2005. He will be the new team delegate, taking over the previous job of Buligan. Beuchler played last season in BM Huesca, Spanish League B, and finishes professional handball to work for Portland.

Physical work and test matches

Javier Cabanas has one and a half months to prepare for the new season. The objectives of Portland remain unchanged: they want to fight for the Champions League and Asobal League titles. Accordingly, the team will have important physical work in the next 45 days. However, Cabanas will not forget the ball. Portland will play some friendly matches, including a tournament in Romania. The first test game will be played in Burlada, a small town near Pamplona, against CAI Aragon on the15th of August.

Cabanas will present the new Portland of 2007-08 at these matches, and the new players will try to give new hopes for the fans after a long summer and “handball holidays”.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi