The president of the Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM), Francisco V. Blazquez, acknowledged the “risk” involved in changing the women’s national coach three months before the World Cup, but that it was something “necessary because the team demanded it”, while he showed his desire that the final of the 2028 men’s European Championship can be held at the Santiago Bernabéu or the Wanda Metropolitano.
The body decided to dispense with Carlos Viver last September, although the Catalan coach had a contract until 2024, and entrusted to José Ignacio Prades for the World Championship to be held next week.
“Yes, it is a risk, but it was necessary because the team demanded it. It was at a time of play that was not ideal and I talked about it with Carlos and he understood that he was not contributing what we wanted”, Blázquez said during his participation this Tuesday in the Europa Press ‘Sports Breakfasts’, sponsored by Repsol, DAZN, LoterÃas y Apuestas del Estado and Unicaja Banco.
In any case, the leader also made it clear that he had not opted for a “radical change.” “We gave way to his second, José Ignacio Prades, to lead the national team and who is a person who has been working with Carlos in recent years, “he said.
The Valencian recalled that they were “in an important week” because “the starting gun” was going to be given to the World Cup. with the International Tournament that will host the Madrid town of Boadilla del Monte this weekend. “We are already prepared to jump from Madrid to the Mediterranean,” he stressed.
The event will be held in four locations, Castellón, LlÃria, Torrevieja and Granollers, far from large venues, although Blázquez does not see them as “small places” but as places where “women’s handball has triumphed.” “We needed venues that were not very spacious and the event would remain blurred,” he clarified, pointing out that the chosen ones “are cities with handball history.”
“This is a World Cup of illusion where all the venues have turned upside down and where human value is above the organizational one,” stressed the leader, who thanked the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation for their support, which allows them to have “peace of mind and security”, and to “the sponsors and all levels of handball.”
The president of the RFEBM estimated the economic impact of this World Cup at “39 or 40 million direct consumption” and “280 million” at a general level. and made it clear that the women’s team “always goes for the gold.” “The 2019 silver is a great success and they know how proud I am of their day to day and that as long as they leave everything on the track I cannot ask for more,” he said.
“We have been working with women’s sport for a long time and the turning point is where we set a high level of organization with a World Cup. When I became president we had just organized a men’s World Cup in 2013 and the girls could not be less, so we started to work, “added the president, who remarked that the commitment to women’s handball is made because they are” convinced “and through” small steps and with time “.” It takes dedication. and conviction, the obligation may lead us to the wrong paths, “he warned.
Bernabéu or Metropolitano for the final of the 2028 European Championship
Last Saturday it became official that Spain will organize, together with Portugal and Switzerland, the 2028 Men’s European Championship. “We lost once in 2026, but not twice. We wanted to create a European Championship from Iberia to the center of Europe because handball has no borders, “he said.
In this sense, He confirmed that his objective is that the final of that event will be at the Santiago Bernabéu or the Wanda Metropolitano. “The first one to come forward,” he joked about his preferences. “At the Bernabéu, the ideal conditions exist with the remodeling, but we have to convince them and make them believe in it,” he explained.
“The European Federation requires us for the final a place with a minimum of 18,000 spectators and we want to go a little further. We are clear that it will be in Madrid, in the Metropolitano for the sporting tradition of Atletico handball or at the Bernabéu for its remodeling, “he said.
On the other hand, he believes that Alex Dujshebaev’s loss for the European next year was announced “too early”, but he is clear that it is necessary to “preserve the health of the players.” “One who is not there to play must rest and not force, we cannot crush them and demand a little more from them,” he admitted.
Blázquez also referred to the “special” brands of ‘Hispanos’ and ‘Guerreras’, with which the two national teams are recognized and which received “criticism at the beginning.” “They are valued at 260 and 220 million respectively, and are registered and shielded to be the great treasure of Spanish handball,” he said.
“The only class with which it cost me was with ASOBAL”
The president of the Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM), Francisco V. Blazquez, acknowledged that “the only” establishment with which it has been difficult for him to join forces has been with ASOBAL, an association with which he has “no problem”, and also warned that he cannot “supplant or be above” the body he directs.
“My duty is that when I became president in 2013, my goal was to unite all levels and the only thing that cost me is with ASOBAL, people know what I have suffered from these confrontations”, Blázquez confessed this Tuesday during his participation in the Europa Press ‘Sports Breakfast’, sponsored by Unicaja Banco, LoterÃas y Apuestas del Estado, Repsol and DAZN.
The leader regretted that the association released “a bomb of this type” in September when they were denounced for breaching the agreement for the broadcast of the Spanish Super Cup. “Breach, breach, … Maybe it was them,” he said.
“I have no problem with ASOBAL, but it must be clear that federations are federations and associations are made up of clubs, some with different interests. All Spanish handball has chosen me and the clubs, of which there are 16, elect their president. I have always reached out my hand, but we cannot supplant or be above the Federation. We have to work together and we will try to make them listen to us to try to do things, “he added.
In this sense, he also pointed out that he does not have “a magic wand” to solve the problems so that ASOBAL is a competitive league, although he has commented on “possible solutions”. “If we do not invest we will be unable to create a return and if there is no higher income, it will not be possible to attract players so that they can be paid more,” he warned.
“Barça is a big club and we have to decide if we lose prominence in Europe or in Spain, and if you tell Barça to put a salary limit, it might not interest them. I will go hand in hand with everyone so that there is that economic contribution to the clubs so that they have solid structures to attract sponsors and players, “the manager stressed.
In addition, he recalled that the support with more tickets from football clubs is complicated because “they do not see it as an investment but as an added expense.” “If we look back when there was an obligation that clubs had to have two Olympic sports in their structure, maybe we would improve this. Sevilla is showing interest, Celta is there and so is Levante, but you have to do it with conviction”, stressed.
Blanco: “Francisco Blázquez has given another dimension to the handball organization”
The president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, Alejandro Blanco, stressed that the president of the Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM), Francisco Blázquez has been able to “give another dimension to the organization of handball “in Spain, with a federative organization that is a” great example at the national and international level “, and praised the leader for his” passion and intensity “.
“Our federative leaders are authentic leaders, capable of taking their groups to places where they have not been. In Paco integrity and the fight for their ideas come together. When I arrived at the federation, I knew what the situation was and from there, dream, plan and work, “Blanco said this Tuesday at the Europa Press Sports Breakfasts, sponsored by DAZN, LoterÃas y Apuestas del Estado, Repsol and UnicajaBanco and starring the president of the RFEBM.
The president recalled that “it was not easy to overcome what there was” because “very important results had been achieved and the level had to be maintained.” “But what he wanted to do is give another dimension to the handball organization,” he warned.
Blanco praised Blázquez’s management at the head of the federation, despite having “the bar very high.” “You have maintained the level and expanded handball to all levels of society. When Paco has an idea, he looks for the way to reach the goal, but never the traditional one, but the one that no one expects, because that is where he leaves his mark. He always transmits passion and intensity in every action he does, he is a tireless worker and sets an example. He does nothing for the gallery, but because he believes it, “he added.
“He is a great negotiator, not because of the sponsors, but because he has built a great family with all the actors and participants and followers of the successes of Spanish handball. Your federation is a great example at the national and international level. We can boast of sports and federations, “concluded Blanco.