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Mercedes Castellanos

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Mercedes Castellanos
Personal information
Full name Mercedes Castellanos Soánez
Born (1988-07-21) 21 July 1988 (age 36)
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
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Tarragona Team

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]

Career

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Merche 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

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Individual awards

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  • MVP Final Queen's Cup: 2021–22[10]
  • Best Goalkeeper Liga Guerreras Iberdrola: 2021–22[11]

National team achievements

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Merche 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

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Alongside Silvia Navarro, Merche Castellanos represented Spain as a goalkeeper in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[14]

Legacy

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In recognition of her contributions, the city of Ciudad Real named sports facilities after her: Mercedes Castellanos Sports Courts.[15]

Notes

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  1. ^ In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Castellanos and the second or maternal family name is Soánez.

References

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  1. ^ "Profile". European Handball Federation. Retrieved 17 November 2018.[dead link]
  2. ^ "Profile". European Handball Federation. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  3. ^ BIOGRAFIA
  4. ^ "Entrevista a MERCHE CASTELLANOS". BalonmanoVeteranos.com (in Spanish). 8 May 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Merche Castellanos anuncia su marcha del Bera Bera". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 22 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Olcina, Vicente Soler (26 August 2020). "RINCÓN FERTILIDAD MÁLAGA, SUPERCAMPEONAS INÉDITAS – Deporte Cien Por Cien" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  8. ^ Rivas, Marina (31 May 2023). "Un histórico Costa del Sol se proclama campeón de Liga". Diario Sur (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  9. ^ "CAMPEONAS! (20-24) – Costa del Sol Málaga".
  10. ^ "Castellanos y Rojas, campeonas de la Copa de la Reina". La Tribuna de Ciudad Real (in Spanish). 1 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Paula Arcos, MVP de la Liga Guerreras Iberdrola 2021/2022". www.rfebm.com (in Spanish). 17 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Parte médico: Merche Castellanos". Costa del Sol Málaga (in Spanish). 8 November 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Mercedes Castellanos Soanez". olympics.com. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Ciudad Real inaugura las nuevas pistas de deportes de playa Mercedes Castellanos". Ayuntamiento de Ciudad Real (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2024.
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