Álvaro de Hita, the excitement and

Cajasol Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil kicks off this Saturday against Bathco BM. Torrelavega (17h, LALIGA+) its final stretch of the season, alive in the epicenter of the struggle for permanence and the equality that governs the current NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL League. “In my career I probably have not experienced a situation as balanced as this year. Last year we were also here, but this year more teams are involved and there is a tremendous equality. More than one team is playing for their life every day, more than 2 and more than 3, and with direct confrontations that influence a lot. And it is true that it is a very nice situation for the spectator, very nice for the league, it is true. One's health may be complicated a bit more [laughs]”, explains Álvaro de Hita to ASOBAL, contextualizing the moment of ASOBAL handball, from the perspective of a lifetime on the court and the excitement of the first calls.

The goalkeeper from Ciudad Real, 49 years old, made his professional debut on January 20, 1996 with the BM. Ciudad Real shirt, on the Portland San Antonio court, and has 19 seasons in the elite of Spanish men's club handball. A history that elevates him to a living legend of the circuit, without eccentricities. De Hita lives his legacy naturally, attentive to the logistics of the week to week with Cajasol Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil and the fight for survival above all. “The threat of relegation is there, although I have unshakable faith in our survival, but we have to be realistic and manage it. It is complicated because not everyone is prepared for that, for the matches in which you have to win yes or yes, because if you do not win or you get into a problem or you directly descend and the story changes a lot. It is also true that when someone chooses our sport and competes in this NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL League, they are exposed to that. This is the essence of everything, isn't it? We compete for a real goal, in every match, every week, and it is difficult to manage, but for me it is very motivating.”, he comments.

Revealing testimony. The goalkeeper has shared a dressing room with several of the best players on the planet in his time at BM. Ciudad Real, beyond being a witness as a member of the current REBI Handball Cuenca (2010-2014) or from Puente Genil of teams that have transcended the performance of a single season and that are part of the ASOBAL legacy. “There is more and more talent, that's right. Because of the professionalization process, because things are being done well or because many people have been involved. The players and the teams in the competition are of higher quality. And it's not on paper, there's nothing written. That last week Fraikin BM. Granollers goes to the HORNEO BM. Alicante court and the home team wins. Every time we have teams and players with more talent, young people from the Spanish and international quarry. They have made the level go up and it is very showy right now to watch matches of the NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL League. That's why it's a privilege that our little town is here, in the elite”, says De Hita, showing pride in the club and home.

This is his 12th season wearing the colors of Cajasol Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil. It's his place, his little-big place, in singular, of all his career linked to the ball, the 40x20 and the goals of the elite of Spanish men's club handball. An inspiring sense of belonging for the new generations and the link between each team, city and fans. “Although we can say that Cajasol Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil is settled in the competition, for a town like ours, for our club, it is a privilege to be in this league and that must be valued. That makes the victories weigh more, because what you are playing for is a privilege. We value it because we know it's not easy. That's why I've always been so comfortable. I think they've given me something here that I haven't been able to find anywhere else. I'm at home here. The club, the town, have become my family. Every year that goes by I am happier and more convinced of being here at this point in my career”, he says, with that final note that accentuates the reflection.

De Hita competes in the NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL League because he wants to, from the excitement, renewed, aware of the list of pros and cons of professional sport and discarding -for the moment- retirement. “Everything moves by that. My family and handball are my life. It has been like this since I was a child and I think I cannot waste the opportunity to enjoy my sport in this way. For me it is a challenge and an illusion to be able to compete as we are competing in this professional league. It is true that the physique has to accompany, obviously, but the head too and the head right now is very excited. I do not deny that the word retirement is there, because it is natural, but other things weigh more, like the fact of seeing myself well, seeing that I have the ability to add and enjoy my sport as I am doing it”, he points out.

The goalkeeper is a veteran at full performance among young people who champion the present and the future of the NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL League. He is signing with 49 years his third best average of stops per game since he debuted in the elite, being a key piece of the project led by Toni Malla from the Pontano bench. “I wear this veteran situation with pride. In many matches and many situations I see the opposing players and they show me a lot of respect. They play their game, obviously, and they play it fantastically well, but that respect is there and I value it a lot. You can tell they have the values that handball gives you. I take it with pride, really. The new generations that are making a place in ASOBAL handball are working very well. They come with strength, with ambition and with a well-set head”, he says, highlighting the contribution of his teammates.

From there he trusts to seal the permanence with Cajasol Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil in the six rounds that remain of the season, starting this Saturday with the visit of Bathco BM. Torrelavega to the Alcalde Miguel Salas. “We depend on ourselves, that's the most important thing. I have it clear. We have to be calm and trust that things are going to get out. We have to see what we have to do in each game, starting with this week's. We come from winning against Huesca and, beyond Barça, we have not lost in the last month. We have to stick with those things and trust that we have been playing good games and getting good results. To trust in ourselves, that we can pull this out and we are going to do it”, he insists, serene, always excited.