S2H Team

Pau Quemada underlined his longevity as an international player by winning the player-of-the-tournament award at the men’s EuroHockey championship which concluded in Amstelveen on Saturday.

The Spanish veteran forward and drag-flicker received the accolade at the age of 37 —  a remarkable feat by any reckoning.

Spain finished fifth but grabbed the last direct ticket to the 2023 World Cup in Bhubaneswar-Rourkela. By doing so, the Spanish ensured they have qualified for every World Cup so far.

Much of the Red Sticks’ fortunes hinged on Quemada’s presence and the veteran didn’t disappoint with five goals – one short of the tournament leading scorers.

Quemada made his international debut way back in 2003 and has carried his country’s challenge through 2012 and 2016 Olympics and 2010 and 2018 World Cups while collecting 278 caps and scoring 119 goals.

He played for Club Egara in Spain before moving to The Netherlands to ply his trade with Laren in 2005. Quemada moved to Belgium after a year to play for KHC Leuven before returning to Spain in 2009 and joining Real Club de Polo. In 2011 he re-joined KHC Leuven before returning in 2016 to play for his old Club Egara.

Spain travel to the Tokyo Olympics with the hope of improving on the silver medal they have won three times. Whether gold is a realistic ambition or not, the Red Sticks will rely on Quemada’s prowess at the set-piece and his incisiveness as a forward.

Pic Courtesy: RSHF