Farewell interview – Cristian Ugalde

 

Cristian Ugalde leaves the Telekom Veszprém after six seasons winning five Hungarian Championships and six Hungarian Cups. Because of this occasion we made with him a longer interview about his years in the “city of queens”.

 

It was a hard season, because we could not get our big goals. We won only the Hungarian Cup, we were close to win the Hungarian League, but this fight was not enough. We had the chance for the victory, but in the first game was really bad, they were leading 5-6 goals, and the same happened in the first half of the second game as well. That was the big problem. Finally we did not finished like how we wanted. In the Champions League we finished in the last 16 against Skjern and it was a big shame. We should minimum get into the quarter final to play against Nantes. I think this team would be able to achieve much more.

 

 

I think it was amazing. These were the best years in my career. However I was playing in Barcelona before, but it makes me very proud, that we have started to build something big here, when I arrived with Laci (László Nagy) and Chema and the Spanish coaches. We changed the mentality and a lot of things and after these years this team became one of the best teams of the world and everybody wants to play here now. I am glad that I was the part of this process. I played here a lot and with these fans and teammates this journey was amazing When I look back this makes me very happy. In every games the atmosphere was amazing and we reached a lot of goals. However we did not win the Champions League, but we were very close, we played two finals, 4 final fours and it will be always in my memory.

 

In the world of handball left wing players started to change teams, leaving empty spaces. These spaces were opportunities for me. Barcelona called me, but I know they called other players as well, this is like chess you know. Than Carlos Ortega called me and said he would be happy to have me in his team. They made a very good work there with Hannover. They fought for the title until the last weeks of the season. It is very hard to belong to the best teams in the Bundesliga, but they did it. For me it will be a very good chance to play one more time with him.

 

When my contract finished in Barcelona they offered another, but Veszprém and Carlos Ortega called me also. They sad they have plans with me together with Chema Rodrigues and László Nagy for the renewing team of Veszprém. I wanted to take part in this new project, which became real for today.

 

 

I remember my first goal in an official game was in our home Arena, it was a fast break, we stole the ball, and I was running from the right side. I have a picture about it also, I have clean memories of it. I was nervous before my first Hungarian League game. You know before every big step I was really nervous, like when I debuted in Barcelona for the first time in the first team as a 17 years old guy, than before my first Champions League game it was the same feeling. My first Champions League goal in Veszprém jersey was against Celje and it was a funny one, because I needed to use my left hand to score that goal. Of course I can remember of my last goal here, it was against Tatabánya. Gasper Marguc gave me the assist and I scored from fly. It is special for me, because in the previous years we made it a lot of times together. It’s a hard shot to make, but with him it’s easier. It was a nice goal.

 

I think all the people, the players and everyone around the club. It was different than in Barcelona, I almost did not know anyone. I was 24 years old and my wife was 22, for us it was the first time to live out of my country. Everyone tried to help me to organize my fly tickets, papers and my flat. I could feel the love from the fans since day one and it meant a lot for me.

 

For a handball player it is the best thing to play here in Veszprém. This area, and the atmosphere is fantastic. Like this you can almost never lose. At the end of the games they always appreciate your performance. In these days I’m receiving a lot of messages from the fans and it makes feel good because it shows they were happy to see me playing for them in the last six years. Few days ago when I was out at the playground with my family and we were talking with my wife about how much we will miss all these things around here. This is a small city, but it is quiet and you can go everywhere to enjoy the life here. For the kids this is the best.

 

I like Budapest, I always said that this is one of the best places in the world. Since we arrived here six years ago it changed a lot. The buildings got renovated, it getting cleaner, so it’s one of the best city in the world to visit.

 

 

They were very happy. When your family is here with you and they are happy, it is easier for the player to stay in another country and culture for a long time. My wife liked here everything, she came from a small town of Menorca. She studied in Barcelona, we had our friends there, so we were alone here for the first time. Her opinion was always important for me, so she was the first to ask when the team wanted to extend my contract earlier. She also wanted to stay here because we enjoyed here the life and handball, too.

 

If we compare from the side of fans, maybe I would say from the Premier League the Liverpool or rather from the Spanish League – which I know better – the Athletico Madrid. There is always full house there, it is completely different than Real Madrid and Barcelona. The fans there support all the time, creating amazing atmosphere. They also miss the Champions League trophy from their collection, but I hope in Veszprém it will change soon and they can become like Real Madrid from this aspect.

 

I would like to say Andreas Iniesta, because he is a lovely guy, wherever he goes to play, even the rival teams’ fans love him. He is always a hardworking player, he is doing everything for his teammates and he always enjoys playing football.

 

Spain is in good form again, of course I’m cheering for them. I thing Brasil and Germany will be close to the title also. The most important games will be the first two games. In sport if you make a bad start, you can easily fall out.

 

 

I think all of my seasons were pretty good. Maybe the 2015/16 season, when we won the Hungarian League, the cup, we won the SEHA League so we could almost win everything with Veszprém except the Champions League, where we lost against Kielce. With the national team I made it to the final in the European Championship.

 

It is difficult to say, but maybe the final against Kielce. I scored seven goals, one goal in the last seconds of the extra time and with it we made it to the penalties. I will always remember for that game which was hard because we lost, but I will not forget the goals I scored neither.

 

The goal I just mentioned against Kielce, which forced out the penalties. If I would miss that, I would never forget that. If I could not score that one, I would feel now we did not win the Champions League because of me.

 

The most painful was the lost final against Kielce, and this last game here against Szeged, I wanted to finish my career in Veszprém with a championship title. I think my best memory was the first trophies I won with this team. First it was the Hungarian Cup, than the League, it was hard to win both of them.

 

Everything. When you play here and in every game the supporters helping you all the time, and say good things to you. It is a beautiful feeling. I will also miss the great life in this city.

 

Tomorrow we leave. We will leave this whole thing behind us, and I am very sad. It was six years, which I enjoyed a lot here, so it is difficult to say goodbye and do not come back anymore to here. One of my sons born here, so I can read the name of the city on his identity card and another documents, place of birth: Veszprém. I hope this club will always stay in this high level, so one day my son will be proud and thank to me that he was born in the place where one of the best teams in the world can be found.

 

 

 

Photos: Dávid Vörös