After winning the World Cup and winning the Nations League title, Spain begins a new challenge with the first qualifying match for the Euro 2025 against Belgium. Recent successes are now "in the past" for coach Montse Tomé, who praised the "ambition and confidence" of the 23 players chosen to face the Belgians (April 5) in Den Dreef (Heverlee) and the Czech Republic (April 9). April).
"I always highlight the ambition of the team and the coaching staff. We feel it that way. We have just won a World Cup and a Nations League, but it is in the past. This is elite sport. We have challenges ahead that excite us," he said at the conference. the coach, in Las Rozas, in reference to the continental tournament and the Paris Olympic Games this summer.
The big news on the list regarding the Nations League is Esther González, chosen because "she is in a good moment and is scoring goals in the United States." Tomé did not want to assess the absences, such as that of Ivana Andrés, captain in the World Cup, who has not been on the list for two windows. The Asturian preferred to praise those called up, but assured, when asked about the absences of Claudia Pina and Patri Guijarro, that she will only call "the players who want to come."
"We all know her abilities. She is differential. In addition to running very fast into spaces, she has good handling with her feet. And she scores goals. She is also a good girl and has good values. She loves to train. Sometimes she can't take it anymore, but always wants to help. She still has room for improvement. We are very happy to have her," he claimed to Salma Paralluelo.
He also did the same with Irene Paredes, who "has been demonstrating for a long time what a great player and leader she is. The ability she has to make the team follow her." Regarding Alexia Putellas, who was the main protagonist in the previous call-up, on the Nations League list despite being injured, she highlighted that "her performance is good" after having started competing with Barça.
He referred to Barça again, this time as a whole, when he had to assess the "clear and evident superiority" of the Blaugrana in League F, a problem of lack of competitiveness that Jonatan Giráldez's own players have already warned about. "The interesting thing is to see competitive matches because at the international level the demands are better. It is part of a process that will evolve and improve," the coach hoped.
Tomé expects a defensive Belgian team, just like the Czechs and the rest of the team's rivals due to the reputation of Spain's favorite. "It's a label they give you because you've earned it," he once again flattered her students, who continue to transmit "that desire to win and that pause to know how they can improve." "This is what is going to keep us there, wanting to face the next game with enthusiasm," she said.
The period of the woman from Oviedo is being a bed of roses, although she does not forget how she came to office, "in a difficult moment that no one chose" after the earthquake generated by Rubiales' kiss to Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final and the subsequent dismissal of coach Jorge Vilda. "The work at that time was the same. What makes the difference is doing the work every day with desire and love. And then being able to have the tool with footballers of this quality. We have to enjoy the moment," he concluded in this regard.
