This player from Villegas was part of the “Panteras Patagónicas” beach handball team, which qualified for the Copa Argentina, held in Puerto Madryn in February. During that time, sand sports were very active in Argentina, so Juan Ormazábal participated in one of these events. Recently, the young goalkeeper was interviewed in Ovación Verano and gave details about the “Arena 1000” tournaments and more.
“The tournaments called ‘Arena 100’ took place, and that year they were from seven different provinces but with the same venues: Río Negro, Neuquén, Entre Ríos, Chubut, Mendoza, Misiones, and Buenos Aires. There are only eight teams in the Argentine Cup, so only the first four teams qualified for the South American Clubs Championship. This was great motivation” explained the goalkeeper.
“I participated in the tournament in Viedma, Río Negro. I was the goalkeeper of the Panteras Patagónicas team. Luckily we managed to win the place to go to the Copa Argentina. Speaking of the vibe of the Argentinean National Team, Ormazábal talked about his situation: “At the time, there were twenty of us in the pre-selection team. We had concentrations together once a month, where we all trained at full capacity.”
Ormazábal also gave details of the tournaments he played: “It was recently confirmed that the Centro-Sul tournament was held in Brazil from April 11 to 16. The championship was going to be very competitive since the national teams were Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Venezuela. There was also the possibility of the world tournament in the United States in July,” he commented.
Despite the sensation that being on the beach handball National Team generated in him, Ormazábal preferred to take it one goal at a time: “My mind was set on doing a good role in the Copa Argentina. There was great competition since the country’s best teams were there and, besides, it was very enjoyable since this sport is like a show.”
“In Villegas, there has not yet been good management to start practicing for this sport. Yes, there had been several boys who usually did it, but representing La Pampa, we – in Rosario – were giving a hand to a small beach handball school. I invited the kids to practice this beautiful, intense sport, and those who were interested contacted me through social networks,” he added.
