Nuno Alvarez is no stranger to the unexpected. In 2023, the 49-year-old Portuguese coach made history by becoming the first foreigner to lead a South Korean handball team. At the time, the SK Hawks were coming off a fourth-place finish and were eager for a change. Now, two years later, Alvarez is on the verge of making history again – this time, by potentially winning the league title with the same team.
The SK Hawks face off against the dominant Doosan team in the championship final, a team that has held the top spot for a decade. “Doosan has been the champion for 10 years, and last year we lost the final in two games,” Alvarez says. “But I feel we’re stronger now, and the gap has narrowed significantly. Their experience gives them an edge – they make fewer mistakes and are more accustomed to winning.” The two teams have clashed four times this season, with the SK Hawks winning one and losing three.
Alvarez’s journey in South Korea has been a resounding success. Not only has he adapted to the local culture, but he’s also been impressed by the country’s safety and work ethic. “It’s an extremely safe country,” he says with a smile. “I see kids playing in the streets at 10 PM, something I haven’t seen in a long time. I always leave my car key inside the vehicle because I’m sure it won’t be touched.”
The SK Hawks roster includes two players who speak Portuguese: João Furtado, a Portuguese winger, and Bruno Lima, a Brazilian goalkeeper. Foreign players are still a rarity in South Korean handball, but Alvarez believes that with the right mindset and adaptability, they can thrive. “It’s not hard to bring in new players, but they need to adapt to our work culture,” he explains. “The key is their ability to connect with the team and understand the Korean culture of respect.”
Alvarez has had to adjust his coaching style to suit the Korean players, who are technically skilled but sometimes too hasty. “The first word I learned to say was ‘cheoncheonhi,’ which means ‘calm down,'” he chuckles. “It’s the word I use the most because they tend to rush everything.”
The championship final tips off this Monday, followed by a second game on Wednesday, and a potential third game on Saturday. Will the SK Hawks finally break Doosan’s decade-long grip on the title? Only time will tell.
