Practices for "Spain's women's national handball team have become an intensive class on European culture," according to Javier Lafuente of EL PAIS. The team's Bronze Medal at the 2012 London Olympics "brought about an exodus of top players from the Spanish handball league." Only "four of the 16 members of the national team are currently playing professionally in Spain." Two members of the Spanish national team, Eli Pinedo and Macarena Aguilar, "discussed this subject." The following is an excerpt from the Q&A:
Q: What are players finding outside of Spain?
Macarena Aguilar: Many people think that players leave for the money. But it is not just that. Some teammates have had to change clubs because they were left in debt. Athletic stability matters a lot, to continue growing as a player, to be able to train and compete at a high level. If you want to remain elite, you have to take a step, you have to leave. The level of competition is much better outside Spain. In Denmark, it is all very different. It is the main sport, together with badminton. It is like football here. The stands are full, there are games on TV every day, coverage in the newspapers...
Eli Pinedo: I got the experience [outside of Spain], but I wanted to return to where I am now, where I started my professional career. I will defend those that have left to the death, I understand it perfectly if you want to continue growing.
Q: Do you feel valued?
Aguilar: Compared to a few years ago, of course. Of course, it could also be much better.
Pinedo: There are still small steps to take to be valued like in other countries. I do not mean better or worse, but the same. On our part, and not just in women's handball, but also with water polo, for example, we are doing everything possible and more so that we will be given the attention we believe we deserve (EL PAIS, 11/30).
