23.11.2007, 01:24
Leon and Ciudad: Spanish Main Round teams face different issues

Both teams perform very well in the Champions League, but while Leon have difficulties at home, Ciudad expect good news.

Leon and Ciudad: Spanish Main Round teams face different issues

Ademar Leon show their best face in the CL regularly, but they seem to lack energy for the Spanish championship. Leon, who surely win Group C of the CL and made a great surprise victory in Zagreb last weekend, were defeated once again in the Asobal.

The opponent was Arrate. The team of Eibar is a modest club with some good players, but they are not a better than Ademar – in theory.

Though the fans were surprised by this result, the president of the club, Juan Arias, warned already at the beginning of the season that the long travels might have a negative effect on the performance of the team.

Leon have four victories, a draw and five defeats this season, which could make it difficult for the team to reach the Champions League once again at the end of the season. While Ciudad Real and Barcelona will probably fight for the Asobal title, Portland and CAI Aragon will go for the third place, which would be enough for the CL.

Árpád Sterbik in Beijing?

Ciudad Real’s goalkeeper, Árpád Sterbik is close to get a Spanish passport. The nationalisation process of Sterbik is nearing to an end and it means that he would not take a place of a foreign player in Ciudad Real. Sterbik could also play for the Spanish national team at the Olympic Games in 2008. A similar process is underway for Shiarei Rutenka.

Sterbik told the Spanish press that the best possible birthday present would be “to get a Spanish nationality”. As he two procedures are underway, both players hope to get the papers next month. Sterbik also said that he would like to help the Spanish national team in Beijing to win a medal.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi