Europe
Saul Quintero Busigó : El Tactico
El Jefe of the Spanish U19 selection, bronze medalist at the Sheffield World Championships, international Elite and coach of ISB Barcelona, Saul is a busy man. Very invested in the development of sub hockey in his country, this is the story of an marvelous but ambitious personality!
A plane from Colombia has just arrived at Barcelona Airport. We are in the year 2000 and Saul, still niño, puts his feet on Catalan soil. This basketball enthusiast ended up leaving the floors for water. It was a friend who suggested that he should try underwater hockey when he was no longer playing sports. Good idea because Saul still practices it today! However, his first reaction when he heard about it was… intrigued: “What?”.The tactical trainer we know today was damn far away !
In Barcelona, there is the Masia for football and there is the ISB for underwater hockey. Coach of the Catalan club for 6 years, Saul led the Spanish U19 team, of which he is one of the coaches, to the bronze medal at the 2019 Sheffield World Championships. With 9 out of 12 players from Barcelona, the work done in club by Saul and Alex his older brother proved to be twice as effective since his players offered Spain the first world podium in its history. A real success for these young coaches.
Besides, what does he like about coaching, Saul? Analyze his team, the opponent, find the flaw in his training, make it out … A real hawk’s eye! « I like to see outside the water to give instructions to my players. Correct them in their positioning, see them score … It’s really satisfying, even if they don’t always listen to me! » Aside from this relative lack of attention, Saul likes his little ones and he does not want to see them relax! He would like to continue coaching them in U24… but does not exclude also coaching U19s! Managing a whole team of young people on trips, with all the responsibilities that this implies, is not easy. When it comes to helping develop hockey, Saul is clear, « I’m not closing any doors. » This guy is determined. Whether as a coach or in terms of personal investment within the Spanish federation. He was already the one who volunteered to become the coach of the U19 selection, based on his team of young Barcelona players. « I would like to collaborate even more with the federation to develop underwater hockey, to create new teams, swimming pools… »
« I like that you can talk underwater with looks and movements. »
Saul is not just a coach, he has also been a player since he was 13 years old. He was part of the 6th team of the last world in Quebec. If he likes to stay out of the water to speak to his players orally, he also appreciates silent aquatic communication. « I like that you can talk underwater with looks and movements. » It is with his brother Alex that he most shares this bond. They’ve been playing on the same team since they started so obviously they’re doing pretty well.
Saul’s dream would be to see them both playing in Elite in an upcoming world championship even if he feared the financial problems that would ensue. By the way, for the next world championships in Australia his goal is clear: « to win the gold medal ». What stress for him who is more nervous in the water than at the edge of the pool. In the meantime, Saul continues to train, coach and work on the development of Spanish underwater hockey. A busy schedule !