David Alegre ‘El Crack Español’

Who is David Alegre?

Living hockey as lifestyle with passion. I’m 32 years old and I have studied Journalism and a Master in Sport Management at Johan Cruyff Institute. Player of RC Polo de Barcelona since 2011, and I played 2 years for Orange Zwart in Holland.

I have lived a dream 4 times: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 (Silver Medal), London 2012 and Rio 2016. I love travelling and spend time with my family and friends.

When and how did you start playing hockey?

When I was 5 years old in Terrassa. Hockey is the main sport in Terrassa. My grandfather, cousins, uncles and my father were players. At present, my father is 60 years old and still playing.

Describe yourself as a player?

A player with strong character. I don’t like to lose neither in the trainings. As midfield, I like to be vertical and combine with teammates. The feeling to share and celebrate goals and titles as a team, it’s unbelievable.

How is your career so far? Highlights?

4 Olympic Games (Silver Medal Beijing 2008)

European Champion 2005

World Cup Bronze Medal 2006

Champions Trophy Champion 2004

FIH All Star Team 2010

Nomination as FIH Young Player of the Year in 2006

Spanish National Champion 2013, 2014, 2015

King Cup Champion 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017

Can you tell something about your club Polo and the Spanish competition?

Polo is a club that tries to find excellence every day. The last 4 years we have played all the finals and we have won 3 Spanish leagues and 4 king cups. Taking 6 years in the club and I feel them like a family.

The Spanish competition is a bit boring, almost every year the same teams play the final four. With the economic crisis, the best players are going abroad and is difficult to bring foreign players and choose for other leagues like Holland, Germany or Belgium.

What is your feedback about the EHL weekend where you won against the polish team of Poznan but lost for 1 goal against Rot-Weiss Koln?

We are a bit disappointed not getting into the KO4. We feel like we missed a good opportunity. We played better than them but the errors left us out, both in attack and defense.
The German teams are very practical and with few chances, have enough quality to win the game. I hope this experience will make us stronger and will come back the next year with the same motivation.

You work for already 5 years with the same coach, the spanish Carlos Cuenca. How is that experience?

It’s amazing the job that is doing for the club and for the team. I have had a lot of coaches but work with him is a privilege.
He wants to under control all the details and prepare each game like a final. Since Carlos is coaching the Polo, each year we are growing up as team and as players. The confidence that he give us, we try to give back with titles. If he keep working with the same way, could get very far.

Looking back to the Olympics in Rio make you feel like….?

I feel sad. When I remember the game against Argentina in the quarterfinals, I can’t believe it, seems a nightmare that never happened. A big mistake in the final minute of the game, the dream to reach the semi-finals was gone.

What does Spain need to get back to very world top again?

It’s difficult to know what Spain needs to be back on the top. We are only about 10.000 licenses and depends on talent and the generations to come. It’s important quality trainings and play as much practice games possible against teams on Top 6 to prepare the tournaments. And of course, help from the government and private companies to increase our budget to manage a good preparation.

You didn’t play for the HIL this year, for any particular reason?

I was playing for 3 years in a row and it was a great experience but also very hard for the body. We were travelling each 2-3 days and played 12 games in 30 days. This year, after a tough preparation for Olympic Games, I decided take care of my legs and focus with my club.

Favorite teammate and stronger opponent player?

I played a lot of years with my brother, Ramon Alegre, and is one of the best things that has happened to me to share my passion with him, and Roc Oliva my roommate with the national Team. The stronger opponent was Teun de Nooijer.

Plans ambitions for the future inside and outside the field?

In fact, it is difficult to combine sport and work in Spain, so the future inside the field is uncertain. I would like to combine both things but every day the sport demands more hours. When I will finish my career as a player, I have prepared to work in sports industry.

Who would you like to see interviewed by self-pass?

Ramon Alegre or Roc Oliva.