Enric Masip: My dream has always been to defend the shirt of Catalonia in some Olympic Games

My dream has always been to defend the shirt of Catalonia in some Olympic Games
Enric Masip
01/01/2005
My dream has always been to defend the shirt of Catalonia in some Olympic Games
Enric Masip
01/01/2005
During my career as a professional handball player, I have obtained many successes. I have won individual and collective titles with the club I carry in my heart, Barça. Over many years, I have also defended the shirt of the Spanish Handball Team but, unfortunately, I have only been able to make the one of Catalonia sweaty in friendly matches. I have always been a good professional, and, therefore, I have given the best of myself regardless of who my opponent was. But to defend the Catalan colours is something unique. The feelings that overcome my body any time that I hear Els Segadors cannot be explained. Even today I feel enormously moved by it. This is why my dream has always been to defend the shirt of Catalonia at some Olympic Games. To fight for my country to get the best possible position in a world championship and to score goals with the Catalan flag close to my heart would be the best that could happen to me. When I was still a player in active service, I was asked many times what decision would I make if I had to choose between the Spanish Team and the Catalan one, and I always answered the same: I would always play with my team, with the Catalan Team. When I played with Spain, I fought for and competed as much as I could, but, speaking about feelings, it could not be compared to what I felt when I defended the interests of Barça or Catalonia. I understand that some Catalan sports players that would like Catalonia to have official teams cannot say it for they depend on grants and economic aid coming from the Spanish Olympic Committee or some Spanish federation, but those professionals that do not depend on any of this type of income should engage themselves a little bit more. The attitude of many people today is too easy. Be that as it may, I believe that if we continue to work quietly, calmly and with clear ideas, we will be able to make our teams become official. Sometimes, work is slow, but I think that we are taking some steps forward that are very important. We should not let ourselves be overridden by despair; we must be enthusiastic and hopeful. In this way, all together, we shall succeed. I consider that being quiet until important aims have been attained is essential. In Fresno, we certainly paid for all the ballyhoo that had been created during the previous weeks. We must fight to obtain what we want without provoking such overwhelming reactions as the one of Spain with regard to the International Skating Federation. The Law says that we can compete like any other team. If other stateless nations have obtained the international recognition of their teams, why should we resign ourselves to four amateur matches per year? 17 seasons in the elite, 3 with Granollers and 14 with Barça, 53 titles, among them 6 European Cups stand out, 8 leagues, 2 European Cup Winners’ Cups, 1 EHF Cup and 6 King’s Cups. Best goal scorer in the history of the ASOBAL League. He has been captain of the Catalan Handball Selection.