Mercedes Castellanos Soánez[a] (born 21 July 1988), known as Merche Castellanos, is a Spanish female handball player for CBF Málaga Costa del Sol and the Spanish national team.[1][2][3]
| Mercedes Castellanos | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Mercedes Castellanos Soánez | ||
| Born |
21 July 1988 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 | |||
Career
editMerche 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,[4] where she won multiple titles including two Spanish Leagues, two Queen's Cups, and one Spanish Supercup.
In 2020, she left[5] San Sebastian and joined Rincón Fertilidad Málaga, winning the Queen's Cup,[6] the Spanish Supercup,[7] and the EHF European Cup in her first season. She played a decisive role in leading her team to their first league title[8] in 2023.
Achievements
edit- División de Honor:
- Winner: 2018, 2020, 2023
- Queen's Cup:
- Winner: 2019, 2020,[9] 2022
- Spanish Super Cup:
- Winner 2020, 2021
- EHF European Cup:
- Winner: 2021
- Second place: 2022
Individual awards
editNational team achievements
editMerche Castellanos has been a significant player for the Spanish national team, contributing to their gold medal victory at the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Tarragona.[12] She was part of the squad for the 2022 European Championships but had to withdraw[13] due to injury.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics
editAlongside Silvia Navarro, Merche Castellanos represented Spain as a goalkeeper in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[14]
Legacy
editIn recognition of her contributions, the city of Ciudad Real named sports facilities after her: Mercedes Castellanos Sports Courts.[15]
Notes
edit- ^ In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Castellanos and the second or maternal family name is Soánez.
References
edit- ^ "Profile". European Handball Federation. Retrieved 17 November 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Profile". European Handball Federation. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ BIOGRAFIA
- ^ "Entrevista a MERCHE CASTELLANOS". BalonmanoVeteranos.com (in Spanish). 8 May 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Merche Castellanos anuncia su marcha del Bera Bera". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 22 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ Morano, Ainoa (6 September 2020). "¡¡El Rincón Fertilidad, campeón de la Copa de la Reina!!". La Opinión de Málaga (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ Olcina, Vicente Soler (26 August 2020). "RINCÓN FERTILIDAD MÁLAGA, SUPERCAMPEONAS INÉDITAS – Deporte Cien Por Cien" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ Rivas, Marina (31 May 2023). "Un histórico Costa del Sol se proclama campeón de Liga". Diario Sur (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "CAMPEONAS! (20-24) – Costa del Sol Málaga".
- ^ "Castellanos y Rojas, campeonas de la Copa de la Reina". La Tribuna de Ciudad Real (in Spanish). 1 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Paula Arcos, MVP de la Liga Guerreras Iberdrola 2021/2022". www.rfebm.com (in Spanish). 17 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Juegos Mediterráneos Tarragona 2018: Las 'Guerreras' se cuelgan el oro en la final contra Montenegro". Marca.com (in Spanish). 30 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Parte médico: Merche Castellanos". Costa del Sol Málaga (in Spanish). 8 November 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Mercedes Castellanos Soanez". olympics.com. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Ciudad Real inaugura las nuevas pistas de deportes de playa Mercedes Castellanos". Ayuntamiento de Ciudad Real (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2024.
External links
edit- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez at the International Handball Federation
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez at the European Handball Federation
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez at Olympics.com
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez at the Comité Olímpico Español (in Spanish)
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez on Instagram
- Mercedes Castellanos at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
- Mercedes Castellanos at Olympedia
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