Meet Eduard Borrás, the Catalonian hockey maestro who lives and breathes his sport
Catalan Hockey Federation’s General Manager shares his passionate hockey story and his predictions for Paris 2024.
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approach, we turn our spotlight to hockey’s stalwarts and their insights. Eduard Borrás, General Manager of the Catalan Hockey Federation (CHF), shares his journey, the essence of Catalan hockey, and his hopes for Spain’s national teams.
Eduard Borrás has been the General Manager of the CHF since 2017. Pivotal to Spanish hockey, the Federation recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and has produced hundreds of players for Spain. It oversees hockey in the autonomous region, organizing over 5,000 matches each season, across more than 700 teams, with players ranging from four to 74 years old. It also manages umpire training, coach training, and hosts international competitions in Terrassa and Barcelona.
Credit: 2008 AFP
On his hockey family...
I come from a hockey family and started playing at three years old. In Catalonia, we say you’re born with a stick in the bed. It’s a family sport here; my parents played and coached, my uncle was a four-time Olympian, my sister and her children play, and my children play—it’s a conversation staple at our family get-togethers.
On his hockey career...
I spent my entire playing career at Egara Club in Terrassa, a historic sports club, and retired at 34, having had the privilege of playing for Spanish junior and senior teams, being European champion in all categories and winning the 2004 Champions Trophy in Pakistan against the Netherlands.
Between 2004 and 2008, our team was one of the best in the history of Spanish hockey. We won gold in 2005 and silver in 2007 at the European Championships. However, the highlight was winning silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where we beat Australia 3-2 in the semi-finals before losing 1-0 to Germany in the final.
It was a great time for Spanish hockey, with players like Pablo ‘Pol’ AMAT, Eduard TUBAU, Rodrigo GARZA and Santi FREIXA making it like an all-star team. And we had Maurits HENDRIKS (NED) as coach. This team was regularly on the podium at international competitions.
On his post-playing career...
I retired at 34 and began working as a consultant in the sports industry. In 2017, I joined the Catalonia Hockey Federation. It was a new chapter but still within the hockey world.
On Spanish hockey…
Spain is not the biggest hockey country, but we have had some very successful teams. The women's team won gold at Barcelona 1992, and our men's team won silver in Atlanta 1996 and silver in the World Cup in 1998.
Hockey here revolves around clubs, many of which also offer sports like tennis and padel. Some clubs have over 2,000 members and excellent facilities. Terrassa, in particular, is like the Silicon Valley of hockey—concentrated knowledge and talent, with historic clubs close to each other. It’s about quality, not quantity.
On Spanish hockey’s chances at Paris 2024...
It is a short tournament, so every match is vital, which I think is good for the Spanish teams.
Both our men’s and women’s teams are well positioned, with the men ranked 8th and the women 7th. The men’s team, although young, is improving rapidly under coach Max CALDAS (ARG). They’ve shown they can compete with top teams, like their win against Germany in the Pro League.
Our women’s team also shows promise. They recently changed coaches and responded well, playing competitively against top teams. Playing in Paris, close to home, is an added advantage.
On the teams he loves to watch...
I could watch hockey all day! The Netherlands men’s and women’s teams are always impressive. The Indian men’s team is currently exciting to watch, and Australia’s attacking style is always thrilling. Argentina also brings strong performances.
On the Paris 2024 favorites for gold...
For the men, I’d say Australia. For the women, it’s hard to pick anyone other than the Netherlands—except for Spain, of course!
“I come from a hockey family and started playing at three years old. In Catalonia, we say you’re born with a stick in the bed.”
On his favorite players and champions...
During my career, Teun DE NOOIJER (NED) and Jamie DWYER (AUS), both fast, skilled, and smart players.
I admire my teammates Pol Amat, Santi Freixa, Eduard Tubau and Rodrigo Garza of the Spanish team and I appreciated, as a teammate and as a rival, the talents of Moritz FÜRSTE (GER), as well as Floris EVERS (NED), Barry MIDDLETON (GBR) and Ashley JACKSON (GBR).
On what he loves most about the sport...
Hockey’s inclusivity is paramount—it’s a sport for all ages and genders. This equality is evident at the Olympics. The technical difficulty and speed of the game make it fantastic to play and watch. Hockey has progressed so much in the last 20 years—it’s a wonderful team sport.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games hockey competition will take place on Poligras Paris GT zero turf from July 27th to 9th August.
Poligras is available globally through Polytan in EMEA, Asia Pacific and Australasia, and AstroTurf in North and South America as well as our global installer network.