László Nagy (handballer)
Encyclopedia
László Nagy is a Hungarian handball
player, currently playing for FC Barcelona Handbol.
and moved with his family to Szeged
when he was one year old. His father was a professional basketball player, so it is not surprising that Nagy began his sporting career with basketball as well.
He played handball first in the elementary school, and at a time he was a Hungarian international in both sports in his age group. When he was sixteen, he got an opportunity to move to the United States and become a professional basketball player, however, he decided to stay and pursue his handball career. His first professional club was Pick Szeged
, where he came through the ranks quickly and made his senior debut in 1997.
His performances attracted the attention of many clubs, including FC Barcelona Handbol. Their head coach, Valero Rivera travelled to Hungary to meet with Nagy personally in 2000. The two agreed of an eight year contract, and the right back switched to Barcelona officially in August 2008. With the Spanish team he developed into a quality player, who is known for of his creative play, excellent passing skills and powerful shots. He has been serving the club for over ten years now and has won almost all possible titles, both on domestic and continental level, including the EHF Champions League
trophy in 2005 and 2011.
. He played on further three World Championships
and three European Championships
. His biggest success on international level is the fourth place he achieved on the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens
. He captained the national team between 2004 and 2009.
In 2005, he was picked for the World Selection, that played against Spain in Madrid. Nagy was selected in the starting line-up and scored three goals in the match, that eventually was won by the hosts to 42–30.
, and has refused any invitation with various reasons. This generated severe disappointment in the fans, and it was also rumored that he may gain Spanish citizenship and represent Spain in later competitions, but Nagy confuted it many times. Finally, on 2 November 2010 he shared his thoughts and motives in an open letter. In this he explained, that he finds the conditions are far from ideal and the insurance issue is also to be solved. He also revealed, that he had talks with Hungarian Handball Federation president László Sinka in late 2009, and was told that things are going to change. However, it did not become a reality, and Nagy stated as long as the attitude stays the same, he will not play for Hungary.
The talks continued after the 2011 World Championship
and there was set a final deadline on 15 February, until when the sides should have reached an agreement. Nagy did not wait until then and made it official on February 10, that he has no desire to represent Hungary in the future.
.
He is married. His wife, Erika gave birth to their first child, Debora on 20 June 2007.
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
player, currently playing for FC Barcelona Handbol.
Club
He was born in SzékesfehérvárSzékesfehérvár
Székesfehérvár is a city in central Hungary and is the 9th largest in the country. Located around southwest of Budapest. It is inhabited by 101,973 people , with 136,995 in the Székesfehérvár Subregion. The city is the centre of Fejér county and the regional centre of Central Transdanubia...
and moved with his family to Szeged
Szeged
' is the third largest city of Hungary, the largest city and regional centre of the Southern Great Plain and the county town of Csongrád county. The University of Szeged is one of the most distinguished universities in Hungary....
when he was one year old. His father was a professional basketball player, so it is not surprising that Nagy began his sporting career with basketball as well.
He played handball first in the elementary school, and at a time he was a Hungarian international in both sports in his age group. When he was sixteen, he got an opportunity to move to the United States and become a professional basketball player, however, he decided to stay and pursue his handball career. His first professional club was Pick Szeged
SC Pick Szeged
SC Pick Szeged is a Hungarian team handball club from Szeged, that plays in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I and the EHF Champions League.-Accomplishments:*Nemzeti Bajnokság I:**Gold: 1996, 2007...
, where he came through the ranks quickly and made his senior debut in 1997.
His performances attracted the attention of many clubs, including FC Barcelona Handbol. Their head coach, Valero Rivera travelled to Hungary to meet with Nagy personally in 2000. The two agreed of an eight year contract, and the right back switched to Barcelona officially in August 2008. With the Spanish team he developed into a quality player, who is known for of his creative play, excellent passing skills and powerful shots. He has been serving the club for over ten years now and has won almost all possible titles, both on domestic and continental level, including the EHF Champions League
EHF Champions League
The EHF Champions League is the most important professional club handball competition in Europe . The competition was started in the 1956–57 season, and is administered by the European Handball Federation.The most successful teams are from Germany and Spain...
trophy in 2005 and 2011.
International
He has been represented Hungary from the youngest age groups. He has won bronze medal on the Youth European Championship in 1997 and on the Junior European Championship 1998, and was crowned champion on the Youth European Championship in 1999. He made his full international debut in the same year and participated on the 1999 World Championship1999 World Men's Handball Championship
The 1999 World Championship for men in team handball was the 16th edition of the Men's World Handball Championship. It was held in Egypt, from June 2 to June 15, in the cities of Cairo, Ismailia and Port Said.-Preliminary round:In the following tables:...
. He played on further three World Championships
World Men's Handball Championship
The World Championship in team handball for men has been organized by the International Handball Federation since 1938.- History :In 1938, the first indoor handball world championship was played in the Deutschlandhalle in Berlin, Germany on 5 February and 6 February...
and three European Championships
European Men's Handball Championship
The European men's handball championship is the official competition for senior men's national handball teams of Europe, and takes place every two years. In addition to crowning the European champions, the tournament also serves as a qualifying tournament for the World Championship...
. His biggest success on international level is the fourth place he achieved on the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. He captained the national team between 2004 and 2009.
In 2005, he was picked for the World Selection, that played against Spain in Madrid. Nagy was selected in the starting line-up and scored three goals in the match, that eventually was won by the hosts to 42–30.
National team controversy
Since 21 June 2009 he has not made any appearance in the Hungarian national teamHungary national handball team
The Hungary national handball team is the national handball team that represents Hungary in the international matches. It is administered by the Hungarian Handball Federation.-Olympic Games record:* 1936 - 4th* 1972 - 8th* 1976 - 6th* 1980 - 4th...
, and has refused any invitation with various reasons. This generated severe disappointment in the fans, and it was also rumored that he may gain Spanish citizenship and represent Spain in later competitions, but Nagy confuted it many times. Finally, on 2 November 2010 he shared his thoughts and motives in an open letter. In this he explained, that he finds the conditions are far from ideal and the insurance issue is also to be solved. He also revealed, that he had talks with Hungarian Handball Federation president László Sinka in late 2009, and was told that things are going to change. However, it did not become a reality, and Nagy stated as long as the attitude stays the same, he will not play for Hungary.
The talks continued after the 2011 World Championship
2011 World Men's Handball Championship
The 2011 World Men's Handball Championship, the 22nd event hosted by the International Handball Federation, was held in Sweden from 13–30 January, 2011...
and there was set a final deadline on 15 February, until when the sides should have reached an agreement. Nagy did not wait until then and made it official on February 10, that he has no desire to represent Hungary in the future.
Personal
His brother, Levente Nagy is a professional handballer as well, who plays for Hungarian First Division side Kecskeméti SE. The goalkeeper has also been capped for the Hungarian national teamHungary national handball team
The Hungary national handball team is the national handball team that represents Hungary in the international matches. It is administered by the Hungarian Handball Federation.-Olympic Games record:* 1936 - 4th* 1972 - 8th* 1976 - 6th* 1980 - 4th...
.
He is married. His wife, Erika gave birth to their first child, Debora on 20 June 2007.
Achievements
- Nemzeti Bajnokság I:
- Bronze Medallist: 1998, 1999, 2000
- Liga ASOBAL:
- Winner: 2003, 2006, 2011
- Silver Medallsit: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010
- Copa del ReyCopa del Rey de BalonmanoThe Copa del Rey de Balonmano is an annual cup competition for Spanish handball teams. Organized by the Liga ASOBAL. It was originally known as the Copa del Generalísimo due to the dictator Franco and was renamed Copa del Rey de SM El Rey in 1975...
:- Winner: 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010
- Silver Medallist: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011
- Copa ASOBALCopa ASOBALThe Copa ASOBAL is an annual cup competition for Spanish handball teams. It is Organized by the Liga ASOBAL.The Copa ASOBAL was founded in 1990 and is disputed between 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th at previous season final standings....
:- Winner: 2001, 2002, 2010
- Silver Medallist: 2003, 2004, 2009, 2011
- Supercopa ASOBALSupercopa ASOBALThe Supercopa ASOBAL or Supercopa de España de Balonmano is an annual cup competition for Spanish handball teams. It is a competition managed by the Liga ASOBAL....
:- Winner: 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009
- Silver Medallist: 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011
- EHF Champions LeagueEHF Champions LeagueThe EHF Champions League is the most important professional club handball competition in Europe . The competition was started in the 1956–57 season, and is administered by the European Handball Federation.The most successful teams are from Germany and Spain...
:- Winner: 2005, 2011
- Finalist: 2001, 2010
- Semifinalist: 2008
- EHF CupEHF CupThe EHF Cup is an official competition for men's handball clubs of Europe and takes place every year. From 2012/13 it will be merged with EHF Cup Winners' Cup to EHF European Cup....
:- Winner: 2003
- Finalist: 2002
- EHF Champions Trophy:
- Winner: 2003
- Youth European Championship:
- Winner: 1999
- Bronze Medallist: 1997
- Junior European Championship:
- Bronze Medallist: 1998