The philosophy of San Fernando that ended in its sixteenth metropolitan title

Guido Barreiros, Matías Saliva and Jaime Terzi spoke on SportsCenter after winning another title in the 2024 Metropolitan Tournament. The tricolor remained first in the standings throughout the year, and in the Playoffs it reached the final, where it won by shoot -outs to Banco Provincia.

San Fernando, a club that exudes hockey through its pores, and with 16 titles in the local competition, has a legacy that is not easy to maintain. “I don’t see it as a pressure, but as something beautiful that comes from above, from a lot of work and history. I hope that the little ones copy it, see it and follow it.” said Jaime Terzi, captain of Primera A. It is not easy to always stay at the top of the table throughout the year, except two years in a row. In 2023 they also finished in first position in the standings, but in the semifinals of the Playoffs they fell to GEBA and were unable to fight for the cup. Many times, frustration can cloud the goals of why you do what you do, but the boys managed to stay focused. “In 2023 and 2024 we dominated the tournament completely, and that consistency made us grow even more on the foundations we had from the last competition, plus the extra that Nacho Bergner (coach) has and the different things he brought to us, such as respecting a idea, maintain it and trust in the plan from minute one”, added Matías Saliva.

Saliva, better known as Yiyo, He had planned to retire in 2021 where the Club Náutico was crowned in both ladies and gentlemen, but his desire to continue giving titles to his club and the love he has for it motivated him to continue. “It is a decision that is always difficult, of which I will never be completely sure because the day to day life at the club makes you never want to leave it”. Along with Matías, another of the team’s experienced greats is Guido Barreiros, who spent several years playing in Europe. “When I decided to stay here, although this was the right scenario, I didn’t know what was going to happen. I took a gamble and it turned out well, and I’m very happy.” Two players who still have a lot to contribute to the team, and in an indirect and capable way without wanting to be, became references and examples within the squad. Jaime highlighted how much it means to him that they are on the team, and how even though they are big, they constantly reinvent themselves and improve, raising their game to a higher level year after year.

Since that championship, after several decisive moments lost in the last three years, such as the semifinals of the Playoffs and the final of the Super 8, there were two keys to the transformation that led them to be champions again: the perseverance in his work and the regularity on Sundays in the results of the matches. Added to that, the culture they imposed on the kids of being present, encouraging their team and always supporting them. “We have to convey it. We managed to get the youth players to not only look at the national team players, but also at anyone who plays in the First Division. The excitement is getting to where we are now,” Saliva clarified.

San Fernando was one of the teams that suffered casualties after the Paris Olympic Games. Their two main penalty corner takers, Lautaro Ferrero and Maico Casella, went to play in Europe and had to polish that variant, which is essential in today’s hockey. Marco Aguirregomezcorta was the one who took the lead as dragger and Guido Barreiros commented: “He had a great year and has terrible confidence, he was the one. Last year he was recovering from an injury, and these were his first Playoffs, where he really showed himself to be up to the task.” The young people are appearing more and more, intertwining with the club’s historical figures and references, such as Matías Rey, soaking up the experience and freshness that each one can bring to the team.