Years ago, at the beginning of the century, Ciudad Real was a specific corner of handball, and its team, a power. Three European Cups and their corresponding Super Cups, five Asobal Leagues, three Copas del Rey… A golden age that no longer exists (BM Ciudad Real disappeared) that featured a good number of players who left their mark. Like the pivot Rolando Uríos (Bayamo, Cuba, 1971), world champion, and top scorer, also with the national team, whose age and several knee injuries forced him to retire in 2009. He remained linked to sport, but as a coach, going through different benches. And now, at the age of 51, 13 after retiring, the player has decided to wear shorts again. Yesterday he played his second match with Alarcos from La Mancha, from the second division. In his debut he scored two goals but yesterday he did not find the jewel of the goal. Related News Standard sports No Rolando Uríos will play with BM Alarcos from Ciudad Real at 51 years old! Juan Antonio Pérez The Cuban pivot, nationalized Spanish, debuts this Sunday in the derby against BM Caserío in the Division of Honor Silver «I’m back to lend a hand to the team, it’s a favor. One of the pivots had Crusader surgery, he is recovering, and the coach and the president talked to me about playing again and helping the team », he explains. His special relationship with the city also helped him take the step: “I know a lot of people from here. And I also know some players because they grew up with my son, who played in the Ciudad Real youth academy. So I’ll help them in the early part of the season.” Fear of injury But Rolando Uríos returns with a certain fear, assuming that he has the point of recklessness about him. Especially in someone prone to injury, who had to withdraw because his knees told him so: “I am concerned, of course, because I am no longer 25 or 30 years old, my muscles are already used. I will try to be careful, not risk too much and hope that nothing happens to me. On a physical level, I train little by little and my role in the team would be fundamentally in attack and change to defense. His specific preparation plan includes working with “a physical trainer and a physical therapist every morning”, who give him specific exercises. “Above all, I’m training my legs a lot,” says Uríos. “I had never thought of playing again after retirement,” he adds, “I never recovered from my knees, I had surgery three times.” Uríos trusts that “his experience of him” will help the team. He arrives more than anything “as his teacher, so that they learn from his mistakes.” And, yes, he is clear that his madness will not be for long: “My idea is to stay until they sign a new pivot or they have solutions to follow.” Although he has an alternative plan in sight for when he hangs up the suit again: «I would like to continue as a coach. And if they need help here, in the coaching staff, then I’ll stay. I still have a lot to give to this sport.”
