Fernando Hernandez Stays in Top Handball
Fernando Hernandez is one the most experienced Spanish players. He is 34 years old and won almost everything that a player can dream of. He won the 2005 World Championship in Tunisia, the Champions League in 2004-05, two Asobal Leagues, two Spanish Cups, a bronze medal at the Olympic Games of Atlanta 1996…
He played for Valladolid, Ademar and Barcelona; next season he will continue to play on a top level, in Portland San Antonio. He has a difficult task to fill the gap that Albert Rocas left when he signed for Barcelona in July. They were World Champions with Spain together, but Barcelona avoided the return of “Rocas and Hernandez society”. He will share his position with David Rodriguez Carvajal, a Canarian player who also played in Barcelona before.
 Happy to play for a big club
When a player is 34 year old and runs out of contract, the doors look closed. However, Portland’s door was open for Hernandez.
“It is very important for me that people in Pamplona remember me. Portland is a really big club and I have great expectations from playing in Pamplona. I’m really motivated. I will work to make this club bigger”.
After playing for some important teams, Portland looks for the experience of Hernandez. “San Antonio knows me from the past and they know what I can give for the club. I played for great clubs. I may not be the most creative player, but I can offer various things on the court for the coach. I will work a lot and will try to do everything right”.
Hernandez is not worried about the change on the Portland bench. “The players do not sign with a coach. Players sign with a club, so there is no problem. If Portland signs a player, it is for his good work that he would do in the group. In addition, if Javier has not said anything, I suppose he is happy with me”.
San Antonio offers more than money
Other teams, such as Ciudad Real or Barcelona, have very good economic situation. However, Hernandez has found something different in Pamplona. “It was very important for me that Portland believed in me. Barcelona and Ciudad Real may have greater economic possibilities than Portland, but San Antonio put confidence in me. Barcelona or Ciudad Real cab sign good players, but Portland has a strong group too”.
All the players who just arrived to Pamplona emphasise the good atmosphere at the club; Portland is almost a big family for them. Fernando agrees:
“Everything is easy in Pamplona. Since I arrived to the club, everything was good. In addition, I know some players and I’m sure that the atmosphere in the team will be very good”.
TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi
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