Pinheiros end a long wait for South America

“The truth is we still can't believe it. It's all happiness but probably we will only wake up to what we achieved once we are back in Brazil,” were the words of EC Pinheiros’ Gulherme Valadao following their historic win in the quarter-final stage of the 2021 IHF Men’s Super Globe on Wednesday night in Jeddah. 

His team had just secured their best result ever in the competition, beating their fifth place finishes on their two previous participations, in 2011 and 2017, by reaching the semi-finals with a thrilling 34:33 victory over Al Noor. 

“It was a really good game,” said Valadao following the match and before their semi-final opponent was determined. “Now we have to wait for the next game, Barcelona against Zamalek. It’s the semi-finals – it’s complicated to play, but we stay here to compete.” 

It will be a tough task for Pinheiros, who learned later on Wednesday night that they would come up against the title holders in both the Super Globe and the world’s strongest season-long club competition, the EHF Champions League, Barça. Although Barça faced a challenge from Egyptian club Zamalek in their quarter-final and had to fight back from a 0:5 deficit early on in the last match of the night, the bench is deep and despite the limited rest time, the Spanish side are sure to be a difficult opponent. 

Valadao and his teammates will meet some compatriots in the Barça line-up: Thiagus Petrus and Haniel Langaro, who are both stalwarts in the Brazil team. 

Pinheiros are contesting their third Super Globe campaign, after winning the second edition of the South and Central American Men’s Club Handball Championship. The first iteration of the continental championship was held in 2019 and was won by fellow Brazilian side Taubaté, who finished as runners-up in 2021. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are extremely happy. We are enjoying here as we play at this stage, against teams with the best level around the world,” said Valadao of their campaign in Saudi Arabia. 

Prior to the introduction of the South and Central American Club Championship, which followed the split of the Pan American Team Handball Federation, Brazil were always the dominant nation in men’s club handball in the continent. All 11 editions of the Pan American Men’s Club Handball Championship were won by Brazilian teams, spanning from 2007 to 2018. 

It was Metodista Sao Bernardo who achieved the best Super Globe ranking from the continent when they placed third in 2002, and Pinheiros are now sure to at least equal their position from the 2007 edition (fourth). But can they clinch a medal? 

The road is a very steep one – and Valadao and his side are acutely aware of that fact, as they prepare to take on the record winners in both the Super Globe and the Champions League. But as Valadao stated, Pinheiros are here to compete, and they will surely put up their best possible fight in the penultimate round on Thursday.