Carlos Viver takes over Spain’s ‘Guerreras’
Carlos Viver takes over Spain’s ‘Guerreras’
When Carlos Viver was officially named new head coach of Spain’s women’s national team at the federation’s headquarters in Madrid on Thursday, he called it a “dream come true”. Only to state straight after that he will keep his foot on the ground and work hard.
For the beginning, Viver has signed a contract until the end of the 2020 season including the Olympic Games in Tokyo that same year.
However, the 43-year-old will know that his main goal will be to build a team that can fight for gold at the Women’s World Championship 2021 which will be hosted by Spain.
Viver follows in the footsteps of Jorge Dueñas who imprinted the ‘Guerreras’’ most successful era.
Under Dueñas’ guidance, who coached the team from 2007 until after the Women’s EHF EURO 2016, Spain won EHF EURO silver in 2008 and 2014 as well as bronze at the World Championship 2011 and the Olympic Games 2012.
“Jorge Dueñas and his staff have really made their mark on a great era for Spanish handball. They truly put the team into the world’s spotlight.”
However, the most recent results, 12th at the World Championship 2015, sixth at the 2016 Olympics and 11th at the EHF EURO 2016, made the federation wanting to start a new era.
Dueñas new job will be coach of Spain’s women’s junior team.
| Carlos Viver nombrado nuevo seleccionador absoluto femenino. El catalán dirigirá de ahora en adelante a las #Guerreras ¡Enhorabuena! pic.twitter.com/vWjgda53u8
— RFEBalonmano (@RFEBalonmano) 23. Februar 2017
Debut for three 20-year-olds
The first tests for Viver and his team – José I. Prades and Jessica Alonso are his assistants – will come on 17 and 19 March when Spain play two friendlies against Romania
In the second week of June the team then faces Ukraine in the play-offs for the World Championship 2017 in Germany.
Viver already announced that 20-year-olds Laura Hernández, Kabba Gassama i Matiane Etxebarria are likely to make their debut against Romania.
However, the core of the team will still be made up by player who also took to the court for Spain at the EHF EURO in Sweden.
“My team and I are very confident with this squad. The intention is work with a lot of players and rbing them to the highest possible level,” he says.
Until the end of the current season, Viver will continue coaching the Granollers’ men’s team with which he currently plays in the EHF Cup Group Phase. From the 2017/18 season onwards, he will only focus on Spain.
