1. Overview
Alberto Entrerríos Rodríguez, born on November 7, 1976, is a prominent Spanish former professional handball player and current coach. Primarily known for his powerful play as a left back, Entrerríos has made significant contributions to both Spanish and international handball over a distinguished career spanning many years. His playing career was marked by numerous successes, including three EHF Champions League titles, multiple Spanish League championships, and two World Championship gold medals with the Spanish national team, alongside an Olympic bronze medal. Following his retirement as a player, he transitioned into coaching, continuing to positively impact the sport and earning recognition such as the Best Coach of EHF Champions League award.
2. Early life
2.1. Birth and family background
Alberto Entrerríos was born on November 7, 1976, in Gijón, Spain. He comes from a family deeply involved in handball, as his younger brother, Raúl Entrerríos, is also a highly acclaimed Spanish international handball player. This shared passion for the sport contributed to their respective successful careers.
3. Playing career
Alberto Entrerríos enjoyed an extensive and highly successful career as a professional handball player, excelling at both the club and international levels.
3.1. Club career
Entrerríos began his professional club career in 1997 with Naranco, where he played for one season. He then moved to CB Ademar León, playing there from 1998 to 2001. A brief tenure with FC Barcelona followed in the 2001-2002 season.
His most significant club period was with BM Ciudad Real, where he spent ten seasons from 2002 to 2012. During his time with Ciudad Real, he was a pivotal player in the team's dominant era, winning the EHF Champions League three times in 2006, 2008, and 2009. He also secured five Spanish League titles with the club in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. The club effectively rebranded and relocated to become BM Atlético de Madrid for the 2011-2012 season, which Entrerríos also played for, marking the continuation of his tenure with the same club structure.
After his long and successful stint in Spain, Entrerríos moved to France to join HBC Nantes in 2012, playing for the club until his retirement as a player in 2016.
3.2. National team career
Alberto Entrerríos was a long-standing and integral member of the Spain men's national handball team, representing his country from 1997 to 2013. He made 240 international appearances for Spain, scoring an impressive total of 726 goals.
His international career was highlighted by numerous medal-winning performances in major tournaments:
- At the World Championships, he earned two gold medals in Tunisia 2005 and Spain 2013. He also secured a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championship in Sweden.
- In the Summer Olympics, he won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- At the European Championships, he won a silver medal in Switzerland 2006 and a bronze medal in Croatia 2000.
3.3. Playing style and position
Entrerríos predominantly played as a left back, a position that demands both scoring ability and defensive prowess. Standing at 6.3 ft (1.92 m) tall and weighing 225 lb (102 kg), his physical attributes complemented his powerful and accurate shots. He was known for his experience and reliability, earning him the reputation of a seasoned international handball player throughout his career.
3.4. Honours as a player
Entrerríos accumulated an impressive list of honours during his playing career:
- EHF Champions League
- Winner: 2006, 2008, 2009 (with BM Ciudad Real)
- Spanish League (Liga ASOBAL)
- Winner: 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 (with BM Ciudad Real)
- World Men's Handball Championship
- Gold Medal: 2005 Tunisia, 2013 Spain
- Bronze Medal: 2011 Sweden
- Summer Olympics
- Bronze Medal: 2008 Beijing
- European Men's Handball Championship
- Silver Medal: 2006 Switzerland
- Bronze Medal: 2000 Croatia
- Individual Awards
- 2013 World Championship All-Star Team
4. Coaching career
Following his retirement from playing, Alberto Entrerríos seamlessly transitioned into a coaching role, leveraging his vast experience and tactical understanding of the game.
4.1. Coaching roles and clubs
Entrerríos began his coaching journey at his former club, HBC Nantes, where he served as an assistant coach from 2016 to 2019. His dedication and insight led to his promotion to head coach of HBC Nantes, a position he held from 2019 to 2022. Since 2022, he has taken on the role of head coach for another French club, Limoges Handball.
4.2. Honours as a coach
Even in his relatively nascent coaching career, Entrerríos has already achieved significant recognition:
- Individual Awards
- Best Coach of EHF Champions League: 2021
5. Legacy and impact
Alberto Entrerríos's legacy in handball is substantial, marked by a career that spanned nearly two decades as a player and continued into successful coaching roles. His multiple EHF Champions League titles and consistent high-level performances with BM Ciudad Real established him as one of the most decorated club players of his generation. His leadership and skill were also crucial to the Spain men's national handball team's successes, contributing to two World Championship gold medals and an Olympic bronze. As a player, he embodied consistency, tactical intelligence, and a powerful scoring threat. His transition into coaching, and subsequent recognition as one of the best coaches in the EHF Champions League, demonstrates his continued positive influence on the sport's development and his ability to adapt and lead in new capacities. He remains a highly respected figure in both Spanish and international handball.
6. Personal life
Alberto Entrerríos is the elder brother of Raúl Entrerríos, who also achieved significant fame as a Spanish international handball player. Their parallel successful careers highlight a notable family connection within the sport of handball.