Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-52×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48
  • News
  • SUKNO U15 CAMP – MALTA 2023
  • SHOP NOW
  • LIVESCORE
    • LEN Champions League 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic league 2022/23
      • Nordic League 2021/22
      • Nordic Women’s League 2022
    • “DUISBURG 98 CUP”
    • 2023 FINA Men’s Water Polo World Cup
    • Alpe Waterpolo League
    • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus
    • HaBaWaBa Easter U12
    • HaBaWaBa Easter U10
    • Sunčana Kapica
    • AUSTRIA 🇦🇹
      • Bundesliga Women
      • Bundesliga Men
      • Supercup
      • Cup
      • Regionalliga Ost
      • U-21 Women
      • U-19
      • U-17
      • U-15
      • U-13
      • U-12
      • U-11
    • SLOVENIA 🇸🇮
      • Slovenian championship 2022/23
      • Slovenian Cup 2022/23
    • Herceg Novi Masters 2023 “30+”
    • Herceg Novi Masters 2023 “40+”
    • Budva Masters 2023
    • GERMANY
    • FINLAND 🇫🇮
      • Championship
      • U-13
      • U-15
      • U-17
    • AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
      • Sydney Super League 2.0 Men
      • Sydney Super League 2.0 Women
    • ROMANIA 🇷🇴
      • Superliga Națională – Romanian Water Polo League 2022/23
      • Superliga Națională
    • ICELAND 🇮🇸
      • Winter League Men 2021
      • Winter League Women 2021
    • LITHUANIA 🇱🇹
      • Championships
      • Nordic Junior CH U17
      • Nordic Junior CH U15
    • Total Waterpolo Trophy U-15
    • RWL
      • Premier League 21/22
      • A1 League 21/22
  • National
    • Spain
    • Hungary
    • Italy
    • France
    • Germany
    • Netherlands
  • International
    • Tokyo 2020 Olympic Water Polo
    • World Championships
      • Budapest 2022 Men
      • Budapest 2022 Women
      • FINA World Men’s Junior Championships Prague 2021
      • Gwangju 2019
      • Budapest 2017
    • European Championships
      • Split 2022 – M
      • Split 2022 – W
      • Budapest 2020
      • Barcelona 2018
    • Other
      • World League – Belgrade 2019
      • World Cup – Berlin 2018
      • Junior WC Prague 2021
      • Junior EC Podgorica 2022
      • Montenegro Cup 2022 (U16)
  • LEN Champions League
    • LEN Champions League 2022/23
    • LEN Champions League 2019/2020
    • LEN Champions League 2018/2019
  • Total Player Award
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
✕

Gabriel Hernandez is Pro Recco’s new coach

May 9, 2020

Spanish coach Gabriel “Gabi” Hernandez has been appointed as a new Pro Recco’s coach. Today, the Ligurian club announced that Hernandez would replace Ratko Rudic, who left the club a few days ago.

Hernandez was born in Barcelona in 1975. He played for the Spanish national team in the 90s’ and the 2000s’. His most significant achievements in the national team were the title of the world champion in Fukuoka 2001 (when he scored three goals in Spain’s 4:2 win over Yugoslavia in the final), the silver medal in the 2002 World League, 4th place at the 2000 Olympic Games…

He started the coaching career in 2011, as a head coach of Sabadell. Hernandez led Sabadell to the Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup in 2012. He was Spain’s head coach at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where the Spaniards lost to Serbia (which won gold later) and finished in the 7th place. Recco’s new coach led Spain at the 2016 European Championships in Belgrade (5th place). Then, he worked as a consultant for the water polo sector in the Argentine federation for two years, before traveling the world to teach water polo through clinics, some of which were organized by FINA.

At a club level, Gabriel Hernandez Paz played for several Spanish clubs (Catalunya, Barcelona, Barceloneta, Real Canoe). He spent a few seasons in Italy, as a player of Pescara.

“It’s an inspiration to come to the club after Ratko Rudic. As a coach, I faced him at the 2016 Olympic Games, in the match for 7th place (Spain defeated Brazil 9:8). Pro Recco represents a challenge, but also a joy. This is a fantastic opportunity for a coach to lead this team – Hernandez said.

Asked about his plans and philosophy, Hernandez answered:

“A formation with huge ‘commitment’. Each player must feel important, so I think a more compact squad is better.
The long break in the water polo competitions, caused by the coronavirus pandemic, won’t be a problem, Hernandez said.
“No, I am not worried about how I will find them (players), physically. I am sure that they will be in good shape after the months of preparations with the national teams. The premise, however, is that water polo is a grueling sport: if you don’t train you can’t play. “, Hernandez said (source Pro Recco’s press release)

Fifth non-Italian coach in Recco

Hernandez is the fifth non-Italian on Pro Recco’s bench in the history of the club, the third in a row. The first foreign head coach in Pro Recco was Hungarian Imre Szikora (1980 – 1984). Serb Igor Milanovic led the team in the season 2014/15 when Pro Recco won its 8th title of the European champion. Milanovic was replaced by Italian Amadeo Pomillo (2015/16). Recco’s legend Vladimir Vujasinovic (Serbia) coached the team for two seasons (2016 – 2018). Croat Ratko Rudic came after Vujasiovic in 2018, but he didn’t accomplish his mission since the season is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ivan Curcic
Ivan Curcic

Related posts

Sandro Sukno Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

May 31, 2023

Sandro Sukno: I am happy we arrived at F8 after challenging week, we prepared only for Ferencvaros


Read more

Captains and coaches at today's press conference Photo by VK Novi Beograd/Miodrag Todorovic

May 30, 2023

Everyone is ready for start of Final Eight: There are no big favorites and underdogs


Read more

Djordje Lazic Photo by S. Sandic/WPF of Serbia

May 29, 2023

Djordje Lazic: Team spirit is Brescia’s strength; we achieved success, but we don’t want to stop


Read more

Featured Projects

Learn More

Learn More

Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • 0
    Sandro Sukno: I am happy we arrived at F8 after challenging week, we prepared only for Ferencvaros
    May 31, 2023
  • Austrian Water Polo Cup 2023
    May 30, 2023
  • 0
    Everyone is ready for start of Final Eight: There are no big favorites and underdogs
    May 30, 2023
  • 0
    Djordje Lazic: Team spirit is Brescia’s strength; we achieved success, but we don’t want to stop
    May 29, 2023
  • 0
    Champions League history: 2012 – year that changed everything
    May 29, 2023
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
Total Waterpolo Arena