19.10.2007, 09:59
Spain: new coaches, hard beginning

The four Spanish teams are doing well in the CL, but the Ciudad fans can be the happiest at home.

Spain: new coaches, hard beginning

Manuel Cadenas, Javier Cabanas and Jordi Ribera begun a special season. This summer brought three big changes on the benches of the Spanish CL teams and it was not easy for them.

Barcelona, Portland and Ademar have a similar pressure upon them: they must win and they have the players for this. In addition, there’s a strong rival, Ciudad Real, with the same objectives. The three teams with new coaches have made some mistakes early in the season, but things are looking brighter by now.

Only one mistake 

Manuel Cadenas left Ademar Leon to sign for Barcelona. The Catalonian club boasts of the greatest history and they are favourites every year in all the competitions they start. Cadenas reinforced the team and they lost only one game so far in Spain. Barcelona qualified for the CL where they performed very well so far. However, Asobal League was difficult for them. They lost in Zaragoza against CAI, which means that they have to beat Ciudad Real at home and (maybe) away to stay in competition for the title.

GOG draw forgotten

Javier Cabanas had more doubts after two bad results one after the other. Portland lost a match in Valladolid in the Spanish league made a draw in the CL in Pamplona against GOG. The fans were quite disappointed and things looked gloomy. Easy victories followed, while GOG lost unexpectedly in Bregenz. The team also made noticeable improvement. However, with their draw in Leon in the Asobal, the title seems to be far from the side of Cabanas.

Perfect CL form

Jordi Ribera also has a difficult period on the bench of Ademar. The season started with bad results in the Asobal. The Champions League means refreshment for Ribera. Ademar have beaten Croatia in the first round and Leon are on top of the group. However, the team already lost a game and made two draws in the Spanish league, which can prove a luxury by the end of the season.

Ciudad grasp the initiative

Ciudad Real gain the greatest advantage of all these small mistakes. The team of Talant Dujshebaev team are leading the Asobal league table and the CL group. They appear to be very strong candidates for both valuable trophies at this stage of the season.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi