26.08.2008, 12:30
Itxako: CL debut coming up

The young Spanish women's club has reached a major target.

Itxako: CL debut coming up

Itxako Navarra will make their debut next season in the European top competition. In fact, the club has less then ten years of experience in the Spanish elite.

Though Itxako is a very young club, but they have shown incredible development in the last five years. The club is based in a little town, Estella, close to Pamplona (city of Portland San Antonio in Navarra).

However, Itxako were still playing in the Spanish second division just ten seasons ago. Already back then, they were ambitious to create a strong team able to reach the ABF League and more.

As soon as the club reached their primary goal, they set new targets: European competitions.

The Spanish club played EHF Cup and Cup Winners Cup matches in the previous years and they also reached promising results before coming to the Champions League.

Ambros Martin, former Portland left winger and Champions League winner from 2000-01, is coaching the side. He arrived to Estella four years ago and the performance of the team improved from season to season.

The team reached the EHF Cup Final and fought for the Spanish title last season. Andrea Barno is the captain, an experienced home grown player is playing for Spanish national team as well. She is the soul of a strong squad with some international players.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goni