Olga Carmona Garcia was still answering questions after her coach Jorge Vilda entered the press conference room. He stood on the sidelines and listened, around his neck the gold medal awarded to each member of the Spanish national team for winning the World Cup in Sydney on Sunday.
While a journalist asked him for a photo together, for which the 42-year-old bit the plaque, a journalist from Carmona Garcia wanted to know why Spain had won the tournament. “We’ve done a great job. Without a doubt, we’re coming out of a year where we suffered a lot,” said Carmona Garcia. For the 23-year-old, this evening should have tragic news: her father had died on Friday before the final, but her family had not informed her so that she could concentrate on the final – and also when she spoke to the media , she didn’t know anything about it yet. She therefore spoke about the past few weeks with the team when she said: “But everything happens for a reason. Everything has helped us to be stronger and to be a team. It’s incredible. Why Spain? I don’t know. But we we deserve it.”
The winning goal scorer, who was voted the best player in the final, had already given part of the answer. This triumph was born of pain and difficulties, a breeding ground that even the Spaniards themselves probably did not consider fertile enough for the greatest possible success to blossom into the tournament. The history made everything even more meaningful and emotional.
At the other end of the world it was also felt that a lot must be wrong when 15 players go on strike
15 players went on strike in September 2022. In a letter to the association, they explained that they would only continue to play for the selection if something changed “significantly” in the processes around the team. The criticism was directed at the RFEF, but could also be understood as a vote of no confidence in Vilda. He took over the post after the 2015 World Cup, but never got the team very far on the big stages. And according to the rumored information that came up after the writing, using an increasingly controlling style of leadership. Allegedly, for example, in the form of a ban on locking hotel rooms, apparently so that attendance could be checked at any time.
Some of the “Las 15“ ended their boycott, three flew to the World Cup despite the apparently deep trenches. The fact that defense chief Mapi Léon said that missing a climax made her sad but that she stood up for her values underlined that this was not just about banalities. Like her, first-choice goalkeeper Sandra Paños and midfield strategist Patricia Guijarro, for example, stayed the same – the central axis of Champions League winners FC Barcelona. And even if things went well in Australia and New Zealand: At the other end of the world it was not forgotten that a lot must be wrong when 15 players go on strike.
Controversial world champion coach: Jorge Vilda.
(Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Vilda was asked about it several times, he answered with dwindling patience – the day before the final he only said: “Next question!” The evening after, winning the title gave him enough backing to sum up the overall situation: “If all that was necessary to become world champion, it was worth it.” Carmona Garcia and he had high fives during the flying change, the atmosphere was relaxed – but the players didn’t come up with the idea of storming the press conference with a lot of noise to celebrate their coach. Some of them had done that briefly on the pitch, otherwise the still tense situation in this team was evident in many scenes during the victory celebration. But Spain’s footballers overcame all of that, at least for a few weeks in the summer. Of course, Vilda had a share in the success. But this title was much more a masterpiece of its players – and the youth work of the RFEF.
“From a sporting point of view, it was a great year,” said Vilda, “we achieved triumphs that we had never achieved before. That shows that there are a lot of quality players in Spain.” With which squad and without various regular players this feat was achieved, actually shows the depth of the Spanish talent pool and the profound training of exceptional players.
Spanish youth national teams have won nine world and European championships in the past ten years. 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo had previously won the U17 and U20 World Championships, and now also with the adults. Or Teresa Abelleira, 23, who surprisingly kept an eye on order from defensive midfield. Added to this was the creativity and security of strike returnee Aitana Bonmatí, voted best player of the tournament.
A timely defeat paves the way
What was also decisive apart from the squad and Vilda’s sometimes courageous personnel changes: the 0:4 in the last group game against Japan. After that, the players questioned themselves, Vilda decided to put Cata Coll in goal for the round of 16 and whoever in Spain had thought that football-tactical superiority alone could be enough at this World Cup saw: That was a fallacy. Bonmatí later called the game a “defeat at the right time”. The Spaniards drew the right lessons from it.
They played much more physically than usual against Switzerland, but above all against the Netherlands and Sweden, as well as against England in the final. It was no longer just about possession and the typical short passing game, elements that Spanish teams are admired for perfecting. But suddenly mentality, duels and pragmatism also counted: Spain scored their most playful tournament goals at the beginning of the preliminary round – against the Netherlands a counterattack brought victory in extra time, against Sweden a long-range shot shortly before the end. “We’ve grown,” said Bonmatí about the course of the tournament. That statement was true across the board, on and off the field.
How big the Spaniards get will also depend on what changes when the title frenzy wears off. And possibly also from personnel decisions related to their fight. The fact that RFEF President Luis Rubiales energetically kissed Jenni Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony caused public horror. He in particular had stood up for Vilda when criticism from the players arose. Now it seems possible that there could be changes in two central positions in the association. The story of the Spaniards and their dispute probably didn’t end with the world title in Sydney.