Siarhei Rutenka | |
Birth Date: | 29 August 1981 |
Birth Place: | Minsk, Soviet Union |
Nationality: | Belarusian, Slovenian, Spanish |
Height: | 1.98m (06.5feet) |
Position: | Left back |
Years1: | 1998–2000 |
Years2: | 2000–2001 |
Years3: | 2001–2005 |
Years4: | 2005–2009 |
Years5: | 2009–2015 |
Years6: | 2015 |
Years7: | 2016 |
Clubs7: | SKA Minsk |
Nationalyears1: | 2001 |
Nationalteam1: | Belarus |
Nationalcaps1: | 7 |
Nationalgoals1: | 23 |
Nationalyears2: | 2004–2007 |
Nationalteam2: | Slovenia |
Nationalcaps2: | 56 |
Nationalgoals2: | 308 |
Nationalyears3: | 2010–2016 |
Nationalteam3: | Belarus |
Nationalcaps3: | 72 |
Nationalgoals3: | 484 |
Siarhei Rutenka, also Sergej Rutenka (Belarusian: Сяргей Рутэнка; born 29 September 1981) is a Belarusian former professional handball player. Besides Belarusian citizenship, he also acquired Slovenian citizenship in 2003. In January 2008, he received the Spanish nationality.[1] His preferred position was outside left, but he was also capable of playing as the pivot and playmaker. He came to prominence while playing for the Slovenian club RK Celje and earlier for RK Gorenje. He has also played for FC Barcelona in Spain. The club acquired him for €1 million in 2009.[2]
Rutenka was the top goalscorer at the 2006 European Men's Handball Championship, representing Slovenia. In 2013, he was elected best left-back of the year.[3]
He is the older brother of handball player Dzianis Rutenka.