Rafael Baena announced his retirement from professional handball, so he will not continue defending the shield of Conservas Alsur Balonmano Los Dólmenes Antequera next season. The Estepeño pivot ends an extensive career at the age of 40 and decides to retire in what always was and will be his home, Antequera.
Baena appeared before the media this Wednesday, May 10, in the press room of the Fernando Argüelles Pavilion to publicly report on it. She was accompanied by the president of the Los Dólmenes Antequera Handball Club, Lourdes Melero, the sports director, Lorenzo Ruiz, and the Antequera City Councilor for Sports, Juan Rosas. «The reason for this press conference is to communicate my retirement as a handball player. The main reason is the lack of time to reconcile handball and my working life. For this reason, I consider that this difficult moment has arrived for me after dedicating myself to this sport for so long,” Baena said in an act in which he was also supported by his family, the first team coach, Chispi, colleagues from the current squad , coaching staff and board of the Club Balonmano Los Dólmenes Antequera.
Baena returned to Antequera in the 2020/2021 season to live and enjoy a second stage in the city where he began to stand out nationally in the top flight back in 2008. He was in our city until 2011, some amazing years with tremendous performance. which even led him to defend the shirt of the Spanish National Team. In his first season at our club he had to make a stop along the way after being called up by an important team from the German First Division, but when he returned in the middle of the season he helped the team get promoted to Asobal. Then came the year of Asobal and the current course in Silver. Two and a half seasons in which Baena continued to demonstrate his power on the line and his idyllic relationship with the goal. He has so far scored 237 goals in 67 league games. In the cup competition he has added 8 goals in 2 games.
“We wish Baena much success in his upcoming challenges and we appreciate his professionalism and work at our club during this time. Here you will always have your place. Thank you for everything, Rafa! “, reads the statement from the Antequera club.