Gabriel Hernandez won the gold medal at the 2001 World Championships playing for Spain. He was a hero of the final game at that competition, scoring three goals in a 4:2 win over Yugoslavia.
He started his coaching career in 2011. Hernandez was Spain’s head coach at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the European Championships in Belgrade in the same year.
Last summer, he accepted one of the most demanding challenges for a water polo coach. He became Pro Recco head coach. Recco failed to retain the title in the Italian Championships. However, it finished the season in a great way. Recco, guided by Hernandez, won the Champions League with 13 wins in as many games and clinched the 9th European title, the first after 2015. Still, after the end of the season, Hernandez left Pro Recco due to personal reasons. Although he spent only one season in Recco, he left a strong mark in the club.
Gabriel Hernandez’s Top 5 of 2021
1. Dusan Mandic (SRB)
Serbian National Player I Club: Pro Recco, Novi Beograd I Position: Right Driver
For me, the best one has been Dusan Mandic. At one point he told me: "Don’t worry, I’m not leaving Pro Recco without wining the Champions league…" And he was the best player on the Final 8 tournament. His performance in the Olympic Games was also incredible. He is a player who was extreme confident in his abilities.
2. Filip Filipovic (SRB)
Serbian National Player I Club: Szolnok / Olympiacos I Position: Right Driver
He moved to Hungary and won the Hungarian league as well as the LEN Euro Cup. He also performed admirably at the Olympic Games. He consistently displays his level of competition, scoring crucial goals and establishing himself as one of the greatest waterpolo talents in history.
3. Angelos Vlachopoulos (GRE)
Greek National Player I Club: Brescia / Novi Beograd I Position: Driver
Vlachopoulos won the Italian championship and preformed at the highest level in Tokyo and in the Champions league.
4. Dusko Pijetlovic (SRB)
Serbian National Player I Clubs: Vasas I Position: Goalkeeper
In a very difficult circumstance and with a lot of ambition, he performed admirably at the Olympic Games. I choose Pijetlovic because, above and beyond his accomplishments, he exemplified sacrifice and high quality.
