13.03.2008, 02:57
Ciudad’s lucky week?

After a big step in the Spanish championship and two players getting the citizenship, the team can reach the semi-finals with a home victory.

Ciudad’s lucky week?

A victory or a draw from Ciudad Real on Sunday would take the Spanish team to the semi-finals. Ciudad were the favourites of this group and now they have to win against Gummersbach to prove it.

It would be a real success for Dujshebaev, because of the series of injuries that the team survived: Sterbik, Urios, Metlicic and Chema suffered different injuries in the Main Round.

Ciudad Real showed that the players prepared by Talant Dujshebaev are all among the top handballers of the world. So far they have passed the exam and now they only need one point to go through. The last week could be more important than anyone believed in Ciudad. Apart from the CL semi-final place, the Asobal League may also be decided after the defeat of Barcelona. It means that the team can close this week among the best teams of Europe and with a great chance to win the Spanish Championship.

The Slovenian Ales Pajovic has back problems, but he will be ready to play on Sunday. The line player Urios is also in improving form. Metlicic and Chema Rodriguez are the only players who will surely miss the game against Gummersbach. And it is normal that the Spanish are hopeful before the game in the Quijote Arena, which is one of the most feared courts in Europe.

Sterbik and Rutenka are Spanish

The Serbian-born goalkeeper, Árpád Sterbik, and the Belarusian-born centre back, Shiarei Rutenka, are officially Spanish now. The necessary administrative process has ended and the players are holding a Spanish passport. It also means that they will not count as foreign players for Ciudad Real in the future. In addition, Juan Carlos Pastor, Spanish national coach, can count on Sterbik at the Olympic qualification tournament.

Sterbik and Rutenka will follow the pathway of Xepkin, Dujshebaev, Urios and Fis – important players of the national team of Spain.

Sterbik is ready to play because he did not play for the Serbian side in the last two years. Rutenka, born in Belarus, holding a Slovenian passport, must still wait for a Spanish invitation.

“We have been waiting for a year to get the passport, but now we have it. It is very good for us and we are happy. I want to be useful for the Spanish coach and I’m eagerly waiting for it. I wish to help Spain win medals,” said Árpád Sterbik after getting the Spanish passport.

Rutenka was satisfied too: “I’m very happy, it’s really great. I want to help the Spanish team to win titles. However, I must wait until next year,” said the left back.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi