02.08.2007, 10:54
Cristian Malmagro: Fresh Blood for Portland

Portland signs young Spanish national player to help out Vugrinec in the right back position. Eurohandball.com talks to Malmagro.

Cristian Malmagro: Fresh Blood for Portland

The 24-year old Malmagro will be one of the youngest players of Portland together with Ruesga and Ortigosa. He will be the new partner of Renato Vugrinec in the right back position, allowing the Slovenian international to have a rest for certain matches. Vugrinec was very tired by the end of the season and his performance was not very good at the last and important matches. Portland are trying to reinforce this position. Malmagro arrives in Pamplona from Granollers, where Cristian grew up as a player and got the invitation to the Spanish national team.

Portland is a special motivation

Malmagro began to work at Portland with a smile on his face.

“Playing in Portland is a special motivation. It is a top club; you have the chance to win all the titles. I have great dreams. I can offer youth and work, I want to do a lot of things and try to help to the team”.

He knows that Vugrinec was alone in the right back position last season. “A club can have so many problems during such a long season. I will be available when the coach needs me, because last year Portland had just one right back”.

Cristian is not an unknown player in Pamplona. The Portland fans remember his good performances from last years in Granollers and some of his new team mates are friends.

“I have known Carlos Ruesga and Javier Ortigosa for some years. The atmosphere in the team is really friendly, very good. The things have been very easy so far in Pamplona”.

Difficult opponents in Spain and in the CL

The new season looks very difficult for all the teams, but especially for Portland. Ciudad Real and Barcelona have reinforced their teams and will be very difficult opponents in every competition. Malmagro agrees:

“Barcelona and Ciudad Real are very strong clubs, they have a lot of money and it is very difficult to fight against them. However, this situation is similar to other seasons and sometimes Portland was able to face them successfully. Our objective is to try to maintain the high level”.

Portland begins this season after two years without titles. Cristian hopes to be luckier this season.

“It is true that Portland did not win titles in the last two years, but things were no so bad. San Antonio fought until the very end for every title, but they were not lucky enough”.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi