He tasmanian devil became popular in the nineties as a result of Taz, a cartoon character starring in a series, movies, and a few video games. With a wild and emotional temperament at the same time, the touches of genius, and the good humor he exuded in every appearance on the screen made him a phenomenon of the time. A rebellious pincho, but with a good heart. One of Taz’s biggest supporters was and is the expivot Eric Struelens (Brussel·les, 1969) who defended the shirt of the Casademont Girona two and a half seasons (2002-05). He was such a fan that he even left tattoo on the left beda, in a time where tattoos were not as widespread in society as they are now. “When I played, I really identified with the character. I can have my best friend against me on the track and leave very motivated as if I didn’t know him at all.’
Struelens collapses during a game in Fontajau / Diari de Girona
Intimidating and strong-willed both on and off the court, Struelens landed Fontajau from the Real Madrid in 2002 as one of the star signingsa from a Casademont in a very busy stage on the benches. In fact, the two rather remarkable seasons that Struelens had in Girona were marked by clashes with the coaches he had. Trifon Poch, Juan Llaneza and above all Edu Torres, with whom the thing ended like Aurora’s rosary. “It turns out that he had just signed a player who did not tell me who he was (Jordi Trias) and asked me to tell the press that I would not play a match in Lleida for an eye injury. Should I have lied to the press? He didn’t have any kind of injury. Wow, man! It was the first time in my career that a coach left me out of a game and he had to tell a lie about it when the responsibility was his.” The thing ended with Torres made a beast and an irreconcilable situation. So much so, that Struelens had no mania to ask for leave. «Francis Perarnau, the CEO, understood this perfectly. I went to Greece in the Panellinios and everything went well». Before Torres, in the first year in Girona, Struelens was accused by Trifon Poch of provoking his dismissal. «It’s not true. I didn’t talk to management or anyone. It wasn’t my responsibility, it was just missing. If I didn’t like it, I would have said so, like with Torres, and I would have left».
Struelens and Edu Torres, a relationship that did not end well / Diari de Girona
Almost two decades ago. Now, with fifty-two years works as head of the Belgian clothing chain store specialized in basketball Bouncewear it is looked at with perspective and nostalgia. “I came from Madrid and it’s true that my signing generated a lot of anticipation». The numbers in Fontajau were not bad. Thirteen points on average in the first season and a total of ten overall. “I was never a player to score twenty-five points per game. That’s why the Americans were there. Yes, I could have very good games like the one against Madrid in which I did twenty points or more than twenty against Canarias once, however I stood out more for defense and rebounding. I always averaged between ten and fifteen points everywhere.” She was happy in Girona and, in fact, her daughter still keeps in touch with the friends she made at Montessori. “In the dressing room I was with everyone. I had no problem with anyone. I went very often with Darren Phillip, John Thomas, Andy Panko. Also with Cyril Julien we used to go to dinner together. with Xavi Fernandez we were neighbors We both lived in the urbanization of the Golf Girona, in Sant Julià de Ramis. I remember the name of the street and everything. Carrer dels Cavalls».
Struelens and Fucka in a Casademont-Barça 2003 / Diari de Girona
The change from Madrid to Girona was great for a Struelens used to living in big cities like Brussels and Paris. Despite this, in Girona there was “the sea of good” between walks and walks through the Old Quarter, escapes to Empuriabrava, excursions to Perpignan and golf games in Sant Julià. “Also, at that time there was a direct flight from Girona to Brussels and I often went home to see family and friends.” Once retired in 2008 at Excelsior Brussels, Struelens has always remained tied to basketball. He was assistant to the Belgian under-23 and senior national team, sporting director of Kangaroos Willebroek, has participated in various media and organizes campuses in the United States. Once I joined Bouncewar and after a while working at the headquarters from Antwerp, did they offer you to run the store in Valencia? “I didn’t think about it. Sometimes people come and recognize me. It’s funny to me.” Is it a good boss? “The workers have to say that!”, he says, laughing.
2024-03-28 05:31:32
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