Rafa Guijosa, former handball player and current coach of Iran, is experiencing moments of distress in Tehran, where he remains confined to a hotel due to the military escalation in the region. The 56-year-old from Madrid was one of the great figures of Spanish handball, with an outstanding career at Barcelona and two Olympic bronze medals (Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000), as well as being named the world’s best player in 1999. Since September, he has been coaching the Iranian national team for the second time, but Israel’s military offensive has caught him off guard while he was in training camp with the team.
“This afternoon has been the most difficult. Bombs have fallen nearby and it has been noticeable,” Guijosa told the newspaper ‘El País’ on Tuesday via email, the only reliable means of communication. From his window, he has been able to see the smoke from the attacks on television studios, while tension grows in the Iranian capital.
No immediate options for leaving Iran
Guijosa’s goal is to leave the country as soon as possible, but the options are practically non-existent. “Leaving by road is dangerous and there are no flights.” Nor is it feasible to leave Iran by sea to Doha or Dubai. “I am in constant contact with the embassy and awaiting their instructions. I will do whatever they tell me to do. For now, we have to stay calm.”
The coach also expressed concern about the possibility of losing his internet connection, which would prevent him from communicating with his family in Spain. In the meantime, he has sent out an SOS to his contacts in Spanish handball, including FC Barcelona, to publicize his situation and speed up the process of getting him out.
Support from Spain and Iran
Guijosa expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from Spain, especially from Paco Blázquez, president of the Spanish Handball Federation, and the Higher Sports Council. “I know they are doing everything they can,” he told ‘El País’. He also highlighted the behavior of the Iranian federation, which has provided him with hotel accommodation for security reasons. “They are taking care of me and helping me with everything. Their behavior is exemplary.”
The former player does not reside permanently in Iran, although he spends time in the country due to his work with the national team. “I was training with the national team eight hours by car from Tehran when we were told to cancel training and return to the capital.”
World handball star
Rafa Guijosa is one of the most prominent figures in Spanish handball. As a player, he was part of Barcelona’s legendary Dream Team, with which he won five consecutive European Cups between 1995 and 2000. In 1999, he was named the world’s best player by the international federation. With the Spanish national team, in addition to two Olympic bronze medals, he scored 538 goals in 119 games.
His first stint as Iran’s coach was between 2012 and 2014. He then coached Ademar León between 2015 and 2019, before returning to Asia in September to take up the position again.
