Rubén Garabaya Arenas

Rubén Garabaya was born in Avilés on September 15, 1978. The Asturian centre got involved in handball by accident when the gym trainer of his mother discover him.There he was introduced to the game aged 12 years.

He first went professional under Manolo Cadenas at Ademar León, where he played for two seasons (1997-98, 1998-99). He would spend the next two years at Cangas (1999-2000, 2000-01) and joined Valladolid in 2001-02, where he really started making a name for himself as one of the regular features of the side coached by Juan Carlos Pastor.
His performances with Valladolid led to him being capped as an international, and he was a member of the world championship winning side in 2005. Garabaya is the fifth Asturian to play for Barça after Villamarín, De la Puente, Ruesga and Entrerríos.

PROFILE

His height of 2.01 metres and large physique make him an imposing figure. Garabaya is tall for a centre but highly mobile and contributes to both attack and defence.

HONOURS

Ademar León

- 1 European Cup Winners Cup (1998-99)
- 1 Asobal Cup (1998-99)

BM Valladolid

- 2 Copas del Rey (2004-05, 05-06)
- 1 Asobal Cup (2002-03)

FC Barcelona

- 2 Pyrenees League (2007-08, 09-10) 
- 2 Spanish Supercups (2008-09 and 09-10)
- 2 Spanish Cup (2008-09 and 09-10)
- 1 Asobal Cup (2009-10)

Spanish national team

- World Championship Gold 2005
- Mediterranean Games Gold 2005
- European Championship Silver 2006
- Bronze medal Olympics Games in Beijing 2008