The three captains and the head coach discussed the Spanish national team's participation in the European tournament at Croatia

The three captains of the Spanish National Team, Luis Amado, Kike and Jordi Torras, and the head coach José Venancio López, appeared before the media in the City of Football of the RFEF, where the analyzed with optimism the role of Spain in the European Championship of National Teams  'Croatia 2012', which begins on 31 January.

Luis Amado said in a press conference that "the other rivals have learned from us. It is true that they are growing, but Spain is a point of reference. We have the best league in the world and we don´t stop, we also continue to grow." The captain of the Spanish team examined the potential of the team under the crossbar. "Knowing that every game is different and that there are many factors, we have undoubtedly the best goalies. There are other teams that have some great individuals, like Brazil, but they´re worse in the goalie position."

For the Inter Movistar goalie "every game is a final match. The first match is the more complicated one because of the uncertainty of what the opponent will be like, what the championshipwill be like ... but we've always won that way. There isn´t a game beyond the next one."

The player from ElPozo Murcia, Kike, said that "we all want to play, to get to the city and the pavilion. We understand the difficulty and it is difficult to foresee what the circumstances will be, we could lag behind on the scoreboard, we may be told that a penalty didn´t go in... "

The defender also rememberd Guatemala 2000, the first title for Spain. "I was 22 and was the youngest player in the team. I had the very typical flame of that age and not the calmness that comes with age, knowing what my teammates need ... but you learn. In general, now there´s another type of Futsal being played, more professional, with a league that is more professional, better every year."


Another captain, Jordi Torras, said that "the fact that we know one another a lot helps a lot, and although there have been some changes, we had plenty of time to adapt to each other. We know where we are and things will come out ok."

For his part, the national head coach, José Venancio López, said that "We have had more setbacks than expected thus far, but what we have to do is focus on the European tournament. Obviously nobody likes to lose two players, it's sad, but now you have to see the positive side. We´ve beenable to substitute Pola and Fernandao with Aicardo and Miguelin. The goal is to be champions."

The fact is that the Spanish team "grows with adversity. We like to flirt with it. In these situations is when we respond best. The unavailability of the players has affected us now, but it´s reinforced our idea of being champions. Now more than ever we have an obligation to win and dedicate the victory to them; we are more motivated and although this week has been a downturn, in Zagreb we´ll be even more excited," Venancio said. "The unavailability of Fernandao is special, he can influence the game, but we´ll try to have Rafa Usin and Borja fill in that gap. It isn´t 100% crucial because at times we'll be playing with a 4-0 scheme or with a false pivot," he said.

The coach said the same way they have "lowered the volume, having more intense and shorter sessions, to avoid circumstances such as those that have occurred. We had to be more cautious."

Venancio stated that "Italy, Russia and Portugal will be the strongest teams; Italy has 8 or 9 top players, but their role depends on the physical and their rotations. Croatia will also be an adversary to be reckoned as host."


The Basque coach said that Spain "has an obligation to play, at least, in the final; we have to win, and we have the potential to do so. It doesn´t go through our head to not win, we like the pressure, we know we have to play five games at the highest level." He likewise wanted to emphasize that the Spanish team "has also increased, in level of organization and Clubs, the LNFS is the best league in the world, and at the structural level. That makes us not think only in the game, key issues to be in the forefront of World Class Futsal."