15.11.2016, 11:05
Carmen Martin guarantees goals

EHF EURO KEY PLAYERS: 10 years after she debuted at the EHF EURO 2006, Martin returns to Sweden for the Women's EHF EURO 2016 as a core part of the Spain squad

Carmen Martin guarantees goals

Right wing Carmen Martin first took to the court for Spain in 2005, at the age of just 17. One year later, at the EHF EURO 2006 in Sweden, she played in her first major competition. Now, Martin prepares to return to Sweden to play another EHF EURO as an essential player for coach Jorge Duenas.

Martin ranks as the seventh player on the list of most international matches played in the history of the Spain women’s team, and as the overall fifth top scorer with 604 goals. Martin sits right behind her teammate Macarena Aguilar, who is fourth with just three goals more (607).

A hard worker with a lethal penalty shot

Carmen Martin is clever, hardworking and a natural winner, with a reliable penalty shot as her trademark best skill. Martin has the ability to calmly approach the seven-metre line, observe the goalkeeper and use her technique and variety of shots to all but guarantee a goal.

The same reliability can be observed in her counter attacks, though she is not one of the fastest wings. Martin is especially good in odd defence and making decisions in one-on-two situations.

A recent record of success

The knee and shoulder injuries that caused Martin to miss a major part of the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the World Championship 2013 are far behind her. She is one of the best in her position in Europe, as she was the All-star right wing at the World Championship 2011 and EHF EURO 2014.

Two years ago, at the EHF EURO in Hungary and Croatia, Martin was the third top scorer of the tournament with 46 goals and was one of the keys to Spain’s silver-medal win.

Martin also enjoyed major success when she contributed to CSM Bucuresti’s title win in the Women’s EHF Champions League 2015/16, and counts past achievements such as runner-up in the Champions League 2010/11 with Itxaco, a silver medal at the EHF EURO 2008 and a bronze medal from the World Championship in 2011.

“A new era comes for us”

“I have a lot of dreams for this EHF EURO. I’m looking forward to meeting the Spanish team again,” says Martin, adding that it will be hard for the team to win another medal:

“We are in a cyclical change. I don’t know yet who is going to be on the squad list, but hope it will be a young team to start to build a base, thinking for the future.

“We shouldn’t look at the medals – we need to work hard and go as far as we can, but we need to understand a new era comes for us.”

TEXT: Laia Coll / cg / ts