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
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
- 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
National team achievements
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
Alongside Silvia Navarro, Merche Castellanos represented Spain as a goalkeeper in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[14]
Legacy
In recognition of her contributions, the city of Ciudad Real named sports facilities after her: Mercedes Castellanos Sports Courts.[15]
Notes
- ^ In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Castellanos and the second or maternal family name is Soánez.
References
- ^ "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
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez at the International Handball Federation
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez at the European Handball Federation (also at EHF Archive)
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez at Olympics.com
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez at the Comité Olímpico Español (in Spanish) (archived)
- Mercedes Castellanos Soanez on Instagram
- Mercedes Castellanos at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
- Mercedes Castellanos at Olympedia (archive)
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