08/04/2019 11:00
Getting to know – Portugal’s rising star Lourenço Martins
CEV EuroVolley 2019 Men
Luxembourg, April 8, 2019. Portugal’s rising star Lourenço Martins started somewhat late with Volleyball - at the age of 12, in Leixões SC before playing for Castêlo da Maia GC, Sporting CP and SC Espinho. He is only 21 years old, but he has already made a name for himself on the national and international stage for his style of play, which combines speed of execution in attack with a delivery that knows no limits in defence.
When called by Hugo Silva to join the men’s senior national team for the 2016 World League, the 195cm tall outside hitter – who currently boasts 75 international caps, 45 in the senior ranks and 30 in age-group competitions – did not feel frightened, but rather enthusiastic, and it is always with this stance that he faces more experienced and decorated opponents.
What can the Portuguese national team look forward to at EuroVolley against opponents such as France, Italy and Bulgaria, as well as Greece and Romania?
I think when it comes to matches like these, where there are clear favourites, there are no easy matches. Our team has already proven that it does not give a single point for lost and I am sure we will face all the matches as if it were the last and leave everything on the court.
You have represented the national team several other times, but how did you live the qualification for EuroVolley 2019?
It was the happiest moment of my life! We knew it was going to be difficult, and that we could not take anything for granted. We all committed ourselves to a goal we set at the beginning of the preparation, and when we learned that we had succeeded in achieving it, it was too good. Personally, I think it was the happiest moment of my still short career.
There were those who said that the generation of the 2002 World Championships, the 2005 World League and the 2010 European League would not have any successors so soon, but the victory in the 2018 FIVB Challenger Cup and the qualification for EuroVolley from 1st place in Pool D seem to prove the opposite…
We do not worry so much about that. These days, everyone likes to give their opinion, and it is always easier to talk to judge than to motivate, but our group has always been superior to that. In a way, it even served as a motivation because, although there are not many star individuals, we all work very well as a team and a group, and I think that is our strongest point.
How do you see the year 2018, with the men’s U20, senior men and senior women all qualifying for their respective European Championship Final Rounds?
I think it was the best year, perhaps even the best year ever, for National Volleyball, which makes us, athletes, happy that we can prove that, despite our country so much into football Volleyball also has much value – in age groups as well as among the senior ranks.
Lourenço Martins, #12, celebrating with his teammates of the Portuguese national team.
People know you for showing high rates of adrenaline on the court. What makes you so explosive when you are competing?
I have never dealt well with defeat, whatever the occasion, either between friends or opponents. I hate to lose and when I am competing, I do everything I can to prevent it from happening. I think that is the reason why I celebrate all the points and I end up being quite spirited.
Are there any players you admire? Why?
National players, I admire some, with whom I have already had the pleasure of sharing the locker room. Among them, I highlight Alexandre Ferreira, who is undoubtedly among the best players in the world, for his physical abilities but also for his coolness in decisive moments. João Fidalgo, who showed me how to be a professional player from the posture in training, in the daily routine and on the court, and Miguel Maia, who year after year continues to surprise everything and everyone, and continues to be, for me, the most unpredictable and gifted setter I have ever known.
What are your strengths / weaknesses, virtues / flaws?
I think my strong point is that I am a fast player and I like to play very fast all the time, as well as being very spirited. The main flaw, in my view, is that I am too competitive and sometimes not cool-headed enough, probably a consequence of being still so young.
How do you like to spend your free time?
When we are in the national team, we usually do not have so much free time. When we do, we all end up taking advantage of sleeping and resting or playing video games. On a daily basis, I love going to the beach with my dog and spending time with my friends.
How do you rate your 2018/2019 season so far?
Perhaps the most challenging season, since I have played almost all the matches and I went through circumstances that I did not experience this far. However, in general this season has made me a more mature player and, above all, more confident and with a lot of desire to grow from day to day in order to be able to represent Portugal at the highest level.
|