The Lionesses begin their World Cup with the game, the hunger for glory and a long unbeaten run as the main subjects for dreaming

The silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, which took place last year. the title of Pan-American Cup played in Santiago de Chile, in January. the crown of the pro-league, which they secured about three weeks ago, some dates before the contest closes. And a streak of 20 unbeaten official matches, with 17 wins and three draws, this season. The Lionesses are enjoying a dream gift, inviting them to rekindle their hopes for the Women’s Field Hockey World Cup, which kicks off this Friday in Spain and the Netherlands.

The Argentines – who will debut on Saturday against South Korea– They are candidates, perhaps only behind the Dutch team, number one in the world and two-time reigning champions. Not only for this unbeatable sporting moment, which allowed them to climb once again to the second step of the ranking of the International Federation. If not also because they have a team that is united humanly and sportingly consolidated. Also, it had been a long time since an Argentine women’s team had come so well at an ecumenical event. But the backpack of the “favorites” does not weigh them down.

“We know that this team must be the protagonist and we are ready to be. We are aware of our potential and we want to reach as high as possible. But we also know that this team is game after game, because the present is dynamic. It is very important to always stay alive. with our feet on the ground so as not to have ups and downs. The first rival is ourselves and we must play, develop our full potential and give one hundred percent. And if this makes us reach the top, great. If not what is it why the other was better, not because we didn’t give everything we had to give “analyzed in a chat with Clarin Fernando Ferreracoach of the team, from Spain, a few hours before the start of the tournament.

Agostino Gorzelany He ensured that he trusted the team’s ability to exploit that high expectation that was generated by the good performances on the pitch.

“Having that great result in the Pro League gave us another responsibility. We have to show why we were the best and we remained unbeaten. But I think this team is able to handle that pressure well and turn it into a very positive energy. We showed it in some games that were not very good or in which we started to lose, we had no defeats, only three draws, this shows the strength that the team has, which always stands tall and always fights until the end. “commented the 26-year-old defender.

And I add: “I think this team is really very ready. Now we have to carry that backpack and show why. We are very energetic and super motivated.”

Beyond the great present, the history of Las Leonas also makes this group a candidate. The national team has two world titles on display, those of 2002 Y Rosary 2010. Additionally, three silver medals, from Mandelieu 1974, Berlin 1976 and Dublin 1994, before the team adopted that nickname which is now a registered trademark; and many other bronzes, obtained in Madrid 1978 and 2006 and The Hague 2014.

In this edition, which will take place in two locations, Terrassa and Amstelveen– will try to return to the podium, after having disappointed the seventh place London 2018. Argentina had approached the event four years ago with the desire to heal the wound caused by the seventh position of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games, which had closed a tumultuous Olympic cycle, in which five different coaches were present. But he arrived in the English capital in full swing, with a mix of experienced and new faces, very talented, but who didn’t have enough preparation to become a team with all the letters. Today the reality is different.

“We have 11 rookies, who give a lot of energy, a lot of drive and guarantee us the hunger to want to do things well, humility and unity, which are very important values ​​for us. But this is a team that has been working for years . Today the younger players are not that young, if we talk about the number of games played. They have more experience. In the last six months, also, there has been a very important growth in hockey: they play solid with the ball and in phase. defensive and we are improving the short film. It is a group that arrives mature, very strong and very united “said Ferrara, who took office at the end of last year.

“I think this beautiful moment is a consequence of a reality that we live within the group, which is very good socially. We all get along well, we bank and we trust the process. There is good energy and it shows on the field”Gorzelany added. “And as far as hockey is concerned, we are very solid on all lines. We played the last friendly match against Australia on Wednesday and we won 2-1, but we didn’t leave with the feeling that it was a close fight. We scored. many goals and no corner kicks against, which is very important in the defensive phase. This gives me a lot of peace of mind. “

The defender who emerged in San Martín this year became a guarantee in the short corner and was the scorer of the pro-league, with 12 goals, ten from corner kicks and two from penalties. In that tournament, the national team was the top scorer with 43 goals and the second least defeated barrier, with 18 against.

“The reality is that this goal is not only mine. It was achieved thanks to the girls, to those who give me a corner, to those who need it, to those who stop … it is together. But it gives me so much happiness, being a defender, having the chance to score and give the team an advantage. I love it. “acknowledged Gorzelany, who was part of the Leoncitas squad who won the Junior World Cup in Santiago de Chile 2016 and debuted in the senior team in February of the following year.

Aware of the great moment they are going through, Las Leonas aims high: the goal is the title. But they also know that in sport, on the pitch, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That’s why they don’t want to start the competition thinking about the final result, but about everyday life, an approach that has given them excellent results in this 2022.

“The goal is tacit. We all want gold, it’s more than clear. But we always go game after game and day by day. The most important thing is the debut and starting on the right foot. And from there, think about it. what follows. And when the time comes, if God wills, we’ll think about hanging a medal on ourselves, “Gorzelany explained.

Ferrara elaborated a little more: “It’s a mutual understanding (mutual understanding), as they say, and there is no need to declare it, raise it or say it. It is clear that we want to be protagonists and reach the top. If I have to say it, the goal is to look for a medal. If it’s the prettier, the better. But we do not put it as a result to be achieved, because it can also play against us. We have to go game after game. Without applying pressure and without thinking about the result first; think and focus on the process. This is how we won the Pro League and this is how we want to face the World Cup “.

South Korea, the first challenge

The Lionesses will be the first in the World Cup against South Koreaplaying for Group C which will be played in Terrassa. The appointment is this Saturday, at 13 in our country, with the television of ESPN.

“It is a super vertical team, which will hit all the balls up front. It will be a rather tough game, we will have to concentrate, especially because of the counterattacks”, Gorzelany anticipated about the duel against the Asians, 11th in the world rankings.

Once the debut is over, they will face off on Sunday (at 4:30 pm, on ESPN2) Spain, number seven in the world, one of the hosts and the toughest rival in the group. The locals want to repeat the podium in London 2018, where they won the bronze and added the first medal in their history. The last match of the first phase will be Thursday 7 (at 13 on ESPN3) against Canada14th in the standings and the most accessible, on paper.

“Spain play at home, they are a very physical team and have a very close game. We have come from facing them in the Pro League and it was two games that we won, but they were tough and difficult.” Ferrara commented. “And Canada, who are theoretically fourth in the zone, have grown up, have very good intentions for the game and a coach who has great experience. On paper we have to be superior, but the games are played on the pitch. “

The action of the tournament will begin this Friday, at 16:30 in our country, with the clash between Spaniards and Canadians.

Hollandwho will seek his ninth world title, will be part of the Group Awith Germany, Ireland and Chile. Nel B. England, New Zealand, India and China will compete. is in the D.Australia, Belgium, Japan and South Africa.

The winners of each zone will go directly to the quarter-finals, which will be played on 12 and 13 July. In the meantime, those who finish in second and third place will play the round of 16, scheduled for 9 and 10. The semifinals will be played in Terrassa on Saturday 16 and the final, in the same city, on Sunday 17.

The Argentine squad of the World Cup

The squad for the World Cup are Belén Succi, Clara Barberi, Valentina Costa Biondi, María Emilia Forcherio, Valentina Raposo, Agustina Gorzelany, Sofía Toccalino, Victoria Sauze, Valentina Marcucci, Agostina Alonso, Rocío Sánchez Moccia, Eugenia Trinchinetti, Jimena Cedrés, María José Granatto, Victoria Granatto, Agustina Albertario, Julieta Jankunas and Delfina Thome.