Mercedes Castellanos

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Mercedes Castellanos
Personal information
Full name Mercedes Castellanos Soánez
Born (1988-07-21) 21 July 1988 (age 35)
Ciudad Real, Spain
Nationality Spanish
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club CBF Málaga Costa del Sol
Number 38
Senior clubs
Years Team
2006–2011
BM Alcobendas
2011–2012
Mar Alicante
2012–2015
Le Havre AC
2015–2017
BM Zuazo
2017–2020
BM Bera Bera
2020–
CBF Málaga Costa del Sol
National team
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–
Spain 98 (4)
Medal record
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Tarragona Team

Mercedes Castellanos Soánez known as Merche Castellanos (born 21 July 1988) is a Spanish female handball player for CBF Málaga Costa del Sol and the Spanish national team.[1][2]

Career[edit]

Merche Castellanos is a renowned Spanish handball goalkeeper currently playing for Costa del Sol Málaga in the Liga Guerreras Iberdrola. She has been a key player for various teams, including Alcobendas, Mar Alicante, Le Havre (France), Balonmano Zuazo, and Bera Bera,[3] where she won multiple titles including two Spanish Leagues, two Queen's Cups, and one Spanish Supercup.

In 2020, she left[4] San Sebastian and joined Rincón Fertilidad Málaga, winning the Queen's Cup,[5] the Spanish Supercup,[6] and the EHF European Cup in her first season. She played a decisive role in leading her team to their first league title[7] in 2023.

Achievements[edit]

Individual Awards[edit]

  • MVP Final Queen's Cup: 2021-22[9]
  • Best Goalkeeper Liga Guerreras Iberdrola: 2021-22[10]

National team achivements[edit]

Merche Castellanos has been a significant player for the Spanish national team, contributing to their gold medal victory at the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Tarragona.[11] She was part of the squad for the 2022 European Championships but had to withdraw[12] due to injury.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics[edit]

Alongside Silvia Navarro, Merche Castellanos represented Spain as a goalkeeper in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[13]

Legacy[edit]

In recognition of her contributions, the city of Ciudad Real named sports facilities after her: Mercedes Castellanos Sports Courts.[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Profile". European Handball Federation. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  2. ^ BIOGRAFIA
  3. ^ "Entrevista a MERCHE CASTELLANOS". BalonmanoVeteranos.com (in Spanish). 2020-05-08. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  4. ^ "Merche Castellanos anuncia su marcha del Bera Bera". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 2020-04-22. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  5. ^ Morano, Ainoa (2020-09-06). "¡¡El Rincón Fertilidad, campeón de la Copa de la Reina!!". La Opinión de Málaga (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  6. ^ Olcina, Vicente Soler (2020-08-26). "RINCÓN FERTILIDAD MÁLAGA, SUPERCAMPEONAS INÉDITAS – Deporte Cien Por Cien" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  7. ^ Rivas, Marina (2023-05-31). "Un histórico Costa del Sol se proclama campeón de Liga". Diario Sur (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  8. ^ "CAMPEONAS! (20-24) – Costa del Sol Málaga".
  9. ^ "Castellanos y Rojas, campeonas de la Copa de la Reina". La Tribuna de Ciudad Real (in Spanish). 2022-05-01. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  10. ^ "Paula Arcos, MVP de la Liga Guerreras Iberdrola 2021/2022". www.rfebm.com (in Spanish). 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  11. ^ "Juegos Mediterráneos Tarragona 2018: Las 'Guerreras' se cuelgan el oro en la final contra Montenegro". Marca.com (in Spanish). 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  12. ^ "Parte médico: Merche Castellanos". Costa del Sol Málaga (in Spanish). 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  13. ^ "Mercedes Castellanos Soanez". olympics.com. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  14. ^ "Ciudad Real inaugura las nuevas pistas de deportes de playa Mercedes Castellanos". Ayuntamiento de Ciudad Real (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-02.

External links[edit]