Fernandez: ‘A cup is the best reward for a long period of hard work’

engineer Isaac Fernandez (Barcelona, ​​1980) living his success Barça CBSrecently qualified Queen’s Cup in his promotion season Endesa Women’s Leaguerightly as the “perfect reward” for a job “very well done for a long time.”

“2022 has been a year of unforgettable memories as a result of working calmly and with realistic expectations. We had a very good mix of people and people from overseas.We also had a little bit of luck that we always needed to win,” the coach explained in an interview with EFE.

The road is long and winding. fernandez take command of Barça CBS Belonging to the second category of Spanish basketball in 2018, this time a block of players with their own identity, where the coach emphasizes their mental strength, human qualities and the concept of the chorus of the game. have been integrated.

“In the 2020-21 season we won all but one match and that loss kept us out of promotion. 80% of the block continued, and we did it the following year with a 27-3 record, chaining 16 wins,” he recalls.

When asked for his formula, fernandez Let’s be honest: “It seems very bad to me to start the season and talk about how we want to be on April 25th. Anything can happen. We focus on what we can control, doing our daily tasks well and not getting red marks in our games, all of which can be won or lost if we’re not doing well I know.”

Integrated base, experienced reinforcement

Team composition was one of the keys to their first round performance.Due to the easy connection of players, professionals Anna Cruz, Joelyn Anderson Also Ruth Hamblin In a group that already works and works well.”

“We had a player who played a very important role last year and is now in the rotation, but this hasn’t affected the group at all,” he stresses. fernandezwho acknowledges his “surprise” in Pivot’s performance Ruth Hamblina vital part of the team, recently signed a renewal until the end of the season.

“It’s all together that she’s very happy at Barcelona, ​​playing a leading role that other teams haven’t had. Her defensive influence and taking up space on both sides of the track is unbelievable.” With, we conceded an average of 63 points without her it was 82 and 88 in the last two games, in large part because of her performances we are able to be here ” he said.

Palau Municipal Esports forward Juan Carlos Navarro also served as the sixth player to go undefeated for the Sant Feliu de Llobregato team from February 29, 2020 to December 22, 2022.

“We had to be strong at home to do well in qualifying. It gives a sense of identity to the pavilion and already last year it looked very good on the big day.” fernandez.

future vision

technician of Barça CBS Consistent with his counterpart’s recent reflections perfume avenue, Robert Iniguezpointed out that the Endesa women’s league tends to be more equal, especially with the growth of clubs with an ACB structure.

“I agree that victories always have an end. There is a lot of merit in what they have achieved and they have ruled over the years, but we have all evolved and the people comes from below. Valencia And hopefully we’ll do that with more effort in the future. youth or student“.

Equality that can serve as a growth engine for women’s basketball in Spain: “For the fans, the league and the ‘sponsors’, the fact that they can win against each other is a cruel fascination. For those of us who suffer. To a game or two.” If we win, we will be very happy, but if we lose three games in a row, relegation will come.”

After finishing 7th (8-7) in the first round, fernandez He assures the sporting objective for 2023 is “same as August 25”, namely to “establish a team within the category”. “In an equally crazy second round, persistence could be 10 or 11 wins,” so they are now “closer” targets, as he admits.

“We can’t deviate from our goals. We can’t talk about the playoffs or Europe. We must continue to help the youngsters gain a foothold in the category so that the teams generate enthusiasm, are competitive and recognizable. And, I face each match.The same.I will carry on as I always have.My challenge is to help each player get better,” he concluded.