Laura Delgado: “We are going to give 100 percent, we always want more”
MADRID, 24 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The women’s rugby coach, José Antonio Barrios ‘Yunke’, insisted that the European Championship “is too small” for Spain, assuring that it is not a tournament “at the level of the Spanish team”, although they give it “importance” for be an international match and the opportunity to win the sixth consecutive European.
“This is not the level of Spain, but we give it importance, it is a game of the ‘lions’, an international game. These games are for a different type of team, with young players, it is very difficult and complicated. We will try to deploy our best possible and colorful game. This European Championship is too small for us, the level of Spain is more for a championship like the one in Parma (qualifier for the World Cup),” Barrios acknowledged at the press conference prior to the final against Russia.
Thus, the coach pointed out that motivation and the “mental aspect” are key, also in favorable situations such as next Sunday. “At a high level, the mental aspect is a multiplier percentage, in favorable and unfavorable situations. It is so important to work psychologically in an unfavorable environment like this Sunday, when you think the game is easy and we are going to take a walk, that It won’t be like that,” he said.
“The first day of the tournament is difficult, we don’t want to deceive the players, but they adapt with the utmost professionalism and give it the same importance. They want to work and respect it. It’s more difficult for the technical staff”, he admitted. regarding motivation.
Barrio does not see “very understandable” that Spain has to win another Six Nations to qualify for the World Cup. “Striking on the table is his job and he does it. A team with eleven debutants calmly beats Colombia, a selection in the final ‘roost’ of the World Cup. It doesn’t seem normal to me. We are left in no man’s land”, lament.
Finally, the coach, who will step down after this European Championship, was “happy” with “everything learned” during his time. “I think I have emptied myself in the effort, I have enjoyed it. Surely I have done many things wrong, but the project has been very nice, his involvement has been the host. It is a professional and personal experience that is difficult to overcome,” he added.
“IN ORDER TO WEAR THIS T-SHIRT, YOU DON’T JUST HAVE TO PLAY RUGBY WELL”
For her part, the captain of the ‘lions’, Laura Delgado ‘Bimba’, assured that they will play the match “110 percent”. “We are with the new generation, with veterans and rookies, focused on building the new team. We focus on ourselves, we face each game with the utmost respect, we always want more.
“If the mental aspect wasn’t important, I wouldn’t be here. After Parma, without qualifying, if we didn’t overcome it and face each other, I wouldn’t be here. This weekend I will face the match as if it were a World Cup qualification or as if I were in the World Cup”, he explained about the mental motivation for the final.
‘Bimba’ highlighted the role of the veterans in the national team. “The role of veteran ace is to maintain the essence of the lionesses, we want to take the team to the highest level, it is done on and off the field. To wear this shirt is not only enough to play rugby well,” he said.
Thus, the captain praised the “energy” that the younger players bring to the ‘lions’ block. “Most have played with boys and many have gone outside, it shows, they come with incredible energy. They come with a lot of rugby and off the pitch they give us a lot of life,” she explained.