Cristina Fernández Piñeiro
A Life Guided by Fair Play
European Handball Masters is proud to continue this interview series with Cristina Fernández Piñeiro, a referee whose career reflects commitment, courage, and a lifelong dedication to handball.
From her early beginnings as a young player, coach, and referee in Vigo, Cristina built an outstanding path in officiating, reaching the highest levels of Spanish and European handball. Across nearly two decades of top-level refereeing, she demonstrated consistency, strength, and deep respect for the game.
Today, still linked to handball as an EHF Delegate, Cristina represents the enduring values of the sport beyond the court. Her story is also a powerful reminder that refereeing is not only about decisions, but about passion, resilience, and service to handball.
European Handball Masters sincerely thanks Cristina Fernández Piñeiro for sharing her story with us—offering the Masters community and future generations an inspiring example of integrity, experience, and love for the game.
ROLE: Referee / EHF Delegate
COUNTRY: Spain
PLAYING BACKGROUND:
Enrique Rodríguez Márquez Public School, Gondomar
Chouzo de Vigo (youth / junior years)
REFEREE CAREER:
Galician Committee
Spanish top division / ASOBAL debut (1988)
International EHF referee (1991)
Referee partnerships: Vicente Bretó (1988–1993)
Pablo Permuy (1993–2005)
Enrique Ríos (2005–2007)
Retired from on-court refereeing (2007)
INTERNATIONAL / CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
First woman to referee in ASOBAL
First woman international handball referee in Europe (1991)
First woman to referee a Women’s World Championship match (Germany, 1997)
Six Copa del Rey finals
Six Copa de la Reina finals
European Championships and Women’s World Championships
Women’s EHF Champions League Final: Slagelse DT vs Krim Ljubljana (2004)
Current EHF refereeing delegate / delegate role continued after passing the international course in Budapest in 2019
HONOURS:
Gold Medal, Galician Handball Federation
RFEBM Gold Medal for Refereeing Merit (2003–04)
ASOBAL Best Referee Pair Award (with Pablo Permuy)
Special Mention, Galician Women’s Sport Awards (2017)
ASOBAL Hall of Fame (2025)
CHILDHOOD / TRAINING
What really got you hooked on handball at the beginning?
What got me hooked on handball at school, when I was 11 or 12 years old, was that it seemed like a noble sport to me. The fact that it is a contact sport, and understanding what that means, makes you trust others and learn how to take strong physical contact without anything bad happening.
What was your first team and what city was it from?
My first team was Enrique Rodríguez Márquez Public School in Gondomar, in school sports, and the club was Chouzo de Vigo.
And how did you get into refereeing?
I became a referee in November 1980, at the age of 17. I was also a player and a coach for boys and girls. I did all three roles, and I was very happy.
What was the first match you refereed?
It was a boys’ under-12 match at the former Losada School in Vigo, in November 1980.
What is your best memory from those early days as a referee?
Everything. The matches I refereed with Roberto Mosquera (RIP), who was a master referee for those of us who were just starting. I also remember my father very fondly — he took me to every match… I didn’t know how to drive, and I didn’t have a car… And finally, those matches with very young children made me very happy.
PROFESSIONAL STAGE
What is the hardest thing about refereeing professional handball that people do not know?
The hardest thing is to maintain your level and try to improve with every match. I refereed for 19 years, and it is not easy to keep raising the bar and evolving. It requires a lot of work and a lot of consistency.
What was the most difficult moment of your career?
When I got injured. In 2001 I suffered several muscle tears, which forced me to stop refereeing for three months… I had a very hard time, I was very frightened, and I felt overwhelmed.
Which match do you remember helped you grow the most, and why?
Each of the five Copa de S.M. El Rey finals, each of the six Copa de S.M. La Reina finals, and each of the four European finals that I refereed with my colleagues.
POST-PROFESSIONAL / TRANSITION
Were you mentally prepared to leave refereeing?
I was 44 years old, and it happened in 2007, in September, after the Super Cup Final: Barça vs. Ciudad Real. You think you are prepared because it is a well-considered decision, but in reality, you are never truly prepared for this. During the first few months, you suffer a lot and, in my case, I could not even watch matches… I suffered a great deal.
What advice would you give to a referee who is close to retirement?
When a referee starts to think about that possibility, they must make a firm decision and accept what they want to do. If they still have doubts, it is better not to stop. But if the idea of retiring weighs more heavily, then do it — and afterwards learn how to deal with the suffering. In any case, find a way to remain connected to handball, as I have done.
What roles do you currently carry out in relation to refereeing?
I am an EHF Delegate. It is a great honor and a great responsibility for me.
MASTERS BLOCK
What do you think about the Masters category?
I think it is an excellent opportunity to stay connected with the people who love handball.
What do you think it can offer former handball referees to officiate these kinds of matches again?
As long as we are in good physical and technical condition, I think it is a privilege and a great honor for them to continue refereeing.
Would it be interesting for the EHF or the IHF to organize exhibition matches or Masters tournaments with top former referees during events such as the Final Four or European or World Championships?
I think it would be a great decision. In my opinion, it is something that is still waiting to become a reality.
DIRECT ADVICE
Any advice for someone returning to referee in the Masters category?
Understand what this category means, respect its players and coaches, and above all, do it with enthusiasm.
To finish, could you leave us with a phrase supporting the Masters movement and encouraging former referees to take part?
Handball is a noble sport. Coming back to play or referee in Masters is an honor, and it dignifies the path we have built over so many years linked to our sport.
Cristina Fernández: A Life Guided by Fair Play
Video: @LigaASOBAL