Ona Batlle: “We have never thought that we are the favorites”

Spain is 48 hours away from achieving a new milestone in its award-winning career of recent months.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
25 February 2024 Sunday 21:28
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Ona Batlle: “We have never thought that we are the favorites”

Spain is 48 hours away from achieving a new milestone in its award-winning career of recent months. The world champion managed to seal her ticket to the Paris Olympic Games last Friday, the first in history for the Spanish women's team, and this Wednesday (7pm, La1) she has it in her power to become the first winner of the Nations League .

“I see the team with great enthusiasm. It is a final that we have never played in,” Ona Batlle acknowledged this Monday, about the possibility of writing her name in the first edition of the women's Nations League, which premieres this season. The FC Barcelona full-back, MVP of the semifinal against the Netherlands, assures that the team does not see itself as favorites, “far from it,” although in the locker room there reigns “excitement and ambition” to do something great. “We have never thought that we are the favorites, we have enthusiasm and ambition, but without going to the clouds.”

The rival in the final will be France, who beat Germany in the semi-finals: "They are a great team and just like against the Netherlands it is going to be a very disputed match," said Vilassar de Mar, who believes that the fact that “In football things happen very quickly” helps to “keep your feet on the ground.” “We have just qualified for the Olympic Games and we are already thinking about winning this title. This profession is like that.”

About being in Paris this summer, Ona Batlle acknowledges that it is something that “everyone dreams of.” “It's something very nice that we have to enjoy because we can't always get there,” says the Blaugrana footballer, who confesses that she is in a happy stage of her life after returning to Barça this season: “I wouldn't know how to tell you if I'm at my best.” moment. I am in a very good moment and I feel happy, that being well on a personal level is something that also helps a lot to be well. Everything I am surrounded by right now also does me a lot of good,” she acknowledged.

Spain faces France this Wednesday (7pm, La1) in the first final of the women's Nations League. The French team, as host of the Olympic Games, already has a guaranteed ticket for this summer's event in Paris. Spain got its place after beating the Netherlands in the semifinal and the last European ticket will be decided in the match for third and fourth place between the Netherlands and Germany (8:45 p.m.).