Queralt Casas is back in Girona after a seven-year stint with Valencia, where she captured 11 titles, including domestic leagues, cups, and the EuroCup. The veteran Spanish guard admitted that returning to her hometown club felt like the natural next step in her career as Spar Girona prepares for its upcoming EuroLeague qualifying match against Emlak Konut.
Reflecting on Seven Years in Valencia and the Departure
Casas spent seven seasons with Valencia, establishing herself as a cornerstone of the roster and hoisting 11 trophies. Despite the successful run, her time in Valencia concluded after her contract expired without a renewal offer. She noted that while a EuroLeague title remained elusive during her tenure—describing the feat as difficult to the point of being nearly impossible at the time—she looks back at her collection of domestic and European hardware with immense satisfaction.
The Long-Awaited Return to Girona
Born in Bescanó in 1992, Casas left home at age 13 to train at the Joaquim Blume Residence before embarking on an extensive professional career across Europe. While she initially thought her return to Spanish basketball would bring her straight back to Girona, circumstances initially steered her to Valencia. Now, after two decades away from her immediate roots, she has finally landed at Fontajau. Outlets reporting on her arrival noted that she has not played a home game in Fontajau since an appearance with the Catalan national team eight years ago.
Reuniting with Roberto Íñiguez
A major factor in Casas’s decision to sign with Spar Girona is head coach Roberto Íñiguez, with whom she previously crossed paths at Sopron during the 2018–19 season. Casas praised Íñiguez’s tactical acumen and leadership, pointing out his resume of reaching nine Final Fours with eight different clubs. According to Casas, the coach’s message to her has been straightforward: to run, jump, play instinctively, and not overthink on the court. Alongside her admiration for Íñiguez, Casas also credited her formative development to coach Ramon Jordana, whom she regards as fundamental to the trajectory of her career.
Mentoring Young Talent Like Iyana Martín
As Spar Girona integrates a mix of seasoned veterans and newcomers, Casas has taken note of young point guard Iyana Martín. Having faced Martín as an opponent previously, Casas expressed admiration for the 20-year-old’s composure and high basketball IQ following her summer performances with the national team.
The Immediate EuroLeague Challenge
Spar Girona’s primary objective centers on the EuroLeague qualifiers, starting with a high-stakes single-elimination match against Istanbul’s Emlak Konut. Casas emphasized that the team must approach the 40-minute contest with absolute intensity and composure under pressure.
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