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Argentine in-line hockey in the shadow of football

Besides of classic hockey nations, there are introduced also countries which we conect first with another sports in the world championship in Beroun. One of them is also Argentina. We had an interview about in-line hockey in one of most „football“ countries with Sebastian Marenga, the leader of Team Argentina

„I started in with roller-hockey in Mendoza in Argentina 4 years ago and then I moved to in-line hockey,“ starts Marenga talking about his hockey experiences.

A native from Mendoza isn´t a new one in Argentine national team in spite of his short hockey carrier. „I played for Argentina in championship in Winnipeg, I also played in France, Switzerland and in Spain,“ continues the most productive player of Argentine team, who scored 4 goals and added two more passes.

It is really easy to recognize that sport Nr. 1 is football for this country in South America. And that´s why the local hockey is in difficult situation. „The conditions for in-line hockey is very complicated in Argentina. It is not popular at all and we even don´t have any suitable playground. It is really difficult to play there,“ looks Marenga for good conditions and he stresses that no professional player is in Argentina. „Personally, I am a sociologist in my civil job. Two times in week I try to practise on playground, I often go to gym, but otherwise I have to work.“

A in-line hockey game in Argentina (The photo from personal archives of Sebastian Marengo)

Also media support the difficult situation. They disregard in-line hockey completely. In spite of that their national team isn´t definetely a shame, but conversely. In this tournament, blue-white team belongs to the most favourites ones. „TV nad radio stations don´t care about us. In the 1st place is simply football, than voleyball and basketball. We are in very difficult situation,“ a bit sad notes otherwise very smiling forward.

„We don´t have national legue, because Argentina is a large country and it will be complicated. We have only National Cup, it brings us together in one place and then we play there. Our coach of national team chooses players for world championship there,“ describes nice shooter the competiton system in country, which gave the dance tango to the world.

In spite of the complicated situation in this country, there are more or less 30 teams, most of them are concentrated round the capital Buenos Aires. In his born town Marenga 6 teams are registrated and they play a regional cup. And what is the aim for Team Argentina in Beroun? „We want to fit into best 8. If we can´t do that, at least to best 11. Hopefully, it works out, closed determinedly Sebastian Marengo this interwiev.

Already we can say that his team did not disappoint, and all games they played at the limit of their abilities. Maybe a reward will come ...

Marengo and his team (the first from left in the upper line).