What do you know about the new candidates for the ASOBAL Hall of Fame?

Rafa Guijosa, Lorenzo Rico, Valero Rivera, Cristina Fernández Piñeiro, Juan Francisco Alemany, Alberto Entrerríos, Veselin Vujovic, Albert Rocas, Manolo Cadenas and Mateo Garralda. These are the candidates to be part of the second edition of the ASOBAL Hall of Fame. 10 historical names and 5 places to expand the project that values the talent of the elite of Spanish male handball clubs. And you, what do you know about the 10 athletes? What feat do you remember from each one of them? Time to recover the sports career of the new protagonists of the Hall of Fame:

Alberto Entrerríos played 15 seasons in the ASOBAL League, from his debut in Naranco de Oviedo (1997/1998 season), his time at Ademar de León, Barça, BM. Ciudad Real and his last stage at BM. Atlético de Madrid. The first line was part of the 7 ideal of the elite of Spanish male handball clubs on 2 occasions (2003/2004 and 2006/2007 editions). Along with Albert Rocas, Entrerríos, international with the Spanish team on 240 occasions, is the only Spanish player with two world titles in his record (Tunisia 2005 and Spain 2013).

Valero Rivera served as a coach for a total of 14 seasons in the ASOBAL League, always defending the Barça shield (1990/2004). He debuted on the Blaugrana bench in February 1984 and was part of the 7 ideal of the ASOBAL League in the 2002/2003 season. He is one of the most successful professionals in the history of ASOBAL, being the orchestra director of the ‘Dream Team’. As coach of Spain, he won the Bronze at the World Cup in Sweden (2011) and lifted the title of World Champion in the 2013 edition.

Albert Rocas played 16 seasons in the ASOBAL League, with stages in BM. Valladolid (2000/2003), Portland San Antonio (2003/2007), Barça (2007/2013) and BM. Logroño (2014/2017). He has been part of the 7 ideal of the top competition of Spanish male handball clubs on 3 occasions (2003/2004, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008). As in the case of Alberto Entrerríos, the right winger has lifted two world titles (Tunisia 2005 and Spain 2013). He has been a full Spanish international on 179 occasions.

Cristina Fernández Piñeiro was the first woman to direct matches in the top category of Spanish handball. She debuted in the Division of Honor in 1988 and in 1991 she obtained the category of international referee, as well as becoming the first woman to direct European competition matches. Her exceptional service record includes, among other achievements, six Copa del Rey finals, her impact on the national circuit being tangible. She was awarded as Best Referee Couple of the ASOBAL League 2004/2005 along with her partner Pablo Permuy. She retired with the dispute of the ASOBAL Super Cup in Salamanca 2007.

Lorenzo Rico played five seasons in the ASOBAL League -wearing the colors of Barça from 1990 to 1995- after a whole career in the old Division of Honor (14), establishing himself as a reference for Atlético de Madrid. He is one of the great goalkeepers of our sport with an exceptional record. Full international with Spain, he has worn the national shirt on 245 occasions.

Manolo Cadenas has served as a coach over 26 seasons in the ASOBAL League, from his first adventure in G.D. Teka until his last stage at Ademar de León, passing through BM. Valladolid, Barça and also Granollers. His beginnings in the elite are located on the bench of Naranco de Oviedo, in the Division of Honor (1986/1989). He has been part of the 7 ideal of ASOBAL on 4 occasions (2003/2004, 2006/2007, 2010/2011 and 2019/20). He was the coach of Spain from 2013 to 2016, winning the bronze in the European of Denmark 2014 and the silver in the European of Poland 2016.

Veselin Vujovic played a total of five seasons in the ASOBAL League. His first appearance in ASOBAL territory was at the Palau Blaugrana, defending the colors of Barça. He would end his journey in the elite of Spanish male handball clubs with the shirt of BM. Granollers (1993/1995). As an international with Yugoslavia, Vujovic won the gold at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics and the Swiss World Cup in 1986. Three years later, he was chosen Best Player in the World. He also served in BM. Ciudad Real already in his role as a technician.

Rafa Guijosa scored 1,056 goals in 231 ASOBAL League matches spread over 10 seasons in the ASOBAL League. He celebrated goals and titles with the shirt of Barça, Juventud Alcalá and BM. Guadalajara. He was a member of the 'Dream Team' Blaugrana, managed to lift the league title, 5 European Cups or the Olympic bronze (Sydney 2000), among other awards. Named Best Player of the World IHF in 1999, Guijosa has also been an ASOBAL protagonist on the benches, coaching BM. Alcobendas and Ademar de León.

Juan Francisco Alemany played 10 seasons in the ASOBAL League, between BM. Alzira, BM. Gáldar, Ademar de León, BM. Valladolid and BM. Cangas. This journey is added to his previous journey in the Division of Honor with Marcol de Valencia, Tecnisan de Alicante and Caixa Valencia. He is considered one of the great scorers in the history of handball, not only national. He has worn the shirt of the Spanish national team a total of 115 times.

Mateo Garralda played a total of 19 seasons in the ASOBAL League wearing the shirts of BM. Granollers, Atlético de Madrid, G.D. Teka, Barça, San Antonio and Ademar León, being part of great achievements in the national and international scene. He has worn the shirt of the Spanish national team on 233 occasions and has been World Champion in Tunisia 2005. In his stage as a coach, he has directed in ASOBAL two seasons to BM. Guadalajara.