Las Leonas is another great world adventure that was just missing the last step

Las Leonas cherished glory, but once again had to settle for second place. at the end of World Championship in Spain and the Netherlandswhich took place at the Olympic Stadium in Terrassa, the biancocelesti could not beat the Dutch, who beat them 3-1 and won the third consecutive title and the ninth in their history, establishing themselves as the first winner in history at this level of tournaments.

The Argentines, who arrived at the tournament undefeated, confident and of the highest level after being crowned champions of the pro-league in mid-June they started with the power outlet, but started adding mistakes and defeats as the minutes went by and gave the Europeans the space and time to settle on the pitch. Y Holland, number one in the world rankings and current Olympic champion, has not forgiven. He was lethal in attack, solid in defense and smart in pulling the strings once he had the advantage. And she ended up getting on the top step of the podium.

That result was a kind of déjà-vu for Las Leonas, who a little less than a year ago had lost against the same rival and with the same score in the final of the Tokyo Olympics, the last official match lost until this Sunday. . In the midst of these two falls with many points in common, there was a series of 25 official matches without defeat (22 wins and three draws), which speak of the great moment that the team led by Fernando Ferrerabeyond the disappointment for that first place that ran away once again.

These three individual awards are also a reflection of the excellent present of the national team, which softened the blow a bit by losing the final. Is that the International Hockey Federation recognized Belen Succi as the Best archera Maria José Granato as the top player Already Agostino Gorzelany as top scorer of the tournament. And she managed to transform the tears of anger and sadness that all the players shared after the game ended into tears of joy and pride in the path they had traveled.

“This team gave it all, the whole tournament. From the first to the last game. We went out to play the final and we wanted to win it. The Netherlands used their opportunities, but we kept fighting until the end. I stayed. with that, which was the essence of this team, to fight until the end in all matches “, he commented excitedly Rocio Sanchez MocciaArgentine captain.

“I feel that this group has a lot to grow. And we have the best, the best player, the best goalkeeper and the best scorer. It will happen to us. Argentina has a lot of potential. I am very happy and very proud to belong to this team. “, has continued.

In the final, the sixth Women’s Hockey World Cup in our country, the Netherlands were better. Argentina starts furious and goes to look for the goal from the first minute (just that time had passed on the clock when they already had the first corner kick of the evening), but the Dutch settle on the field and, in the middle of the first quarter, they had already leveled the game.

Looser and with a better collective game than Las Leonas, they opened the scoring two minutes into the second quarter, with a goal from a corner kick by Maria Verschor. And then they extended the lead with so many of Frederique Matlasix minutes later, e happy alberto, at five in the third quarter. The match was then made uphill for the Argentines, who made many mistakes (too many for the rival in front of them) and did not return to the starting level. The blue and black and white team, the same, never lowered their arms and discounted as soon as the last chapter began, with a great goal from a corner kick from Gorzelany. But he did not reach him.

“We tried to enjoy the final and we went out to play even against the number one in the world. They usually take advantage of the mistakes you make and don’t forgive you. And they did, they knew how to take advantage of it. Their triumph was in the detail. , in the short corner, in the super aggressive and effective game they showed “, analyzed Agostina Alonsoanother experienced member of the team.

The defeat hurt Las Leonas. And it will hurt for a while. But eventually they will realize the huge tournament they have had. They passed the first stage with an ideal score and win against South Korea, Spain Y Canada. They defeated in the quarter-finals by 1 to 0 a very tough rival like England. And in the semifinals they defeated on penalties Germanyafter starting 0-1 on the scoreboard.

Therefore, beyond the fact that the title of 2002 and of Rosary 2010the silver medal is worth a lot.

“This team will always go for everything. Even if the result is not in our favor, we will go looking for it,” said Alonso. “In this final it was not enough and I am very sorry, because the group had been looking for first place for a long time and I would have liked to reach it. We hope it will happen in the future”.

Succi’s bittersweet farewell

Belen Succi played his last match for the Argentine national team against the Netherlands. The historic Las Leonas goalkeeper brought down the curtain on his career with the blue-white shirt after 18 years, in which he won a world title (Rosary 2010) and two Olympic medals (bronze in Beijing 2008 and silver in Tokyo 2020).

“It’s an incredible feeling. Suddenly I spent 18 years with this team and it is something I dreamed of. I retire enjoying it like the first day, because I love the sport, I love my country and I love every group that I have played with.” Succi commented, among tears, who added six of them among others Champions Trophytwo Pan American golds and the world bronze in The Hague 2014.

“We tried to take Argentina to the top, as always. We had to lose again against the Netherlands. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. This is sport,” she commented with emotion. “I love incredible people on and off the pitch. This great group, these teammates, this encouragement, the values ​​we have … I carry what is human with me.”

Gorzelany, top scorer of the tournament

If Las Leonas reached the World Cup final – and was able to reduce the advantage that the Netherlands had taken away from them in the decisive duel – it was largely thanks to the contribution of Agostino Gorzelany, the defender who becomes almost a guarantee of goals from a corner kick. The 26-year-old player who left the San Martín club was the author of the only Biancoceleste goal in the match against the Dutch, thus reaching an altitude of eight transformed into the World Cup and finishing as the top scorer of the competition.

“He is a mime, but the truth is that I would have preferred to raise the cup with the whole team,” commented Agus, who had also been a scorer in pro-league and he was the second Argentine to achieve that result in a World Cup after Veronica Alfonso in 1974. “If I have to look for something positive in this defeat, it is this award, which is a recognition of a long time dedicated to training the corner resistance”, he added that in his first participation in the World Cup he added seven goals in that way and another of rigor.

Granatto and a special prize

The recognition also went to Argentine hands top player of the World Cup. the chosen one was Maria José Granato, who at the age of 27 added new individual recognition to his career. The La Plata striker had already received her when she was crowned junior world champion in Santiago de Chile 2016, a tournament in which she shone with the biancoceleste jersey. And in early 2017, FIH chose her as the best under 23 player in the world.

In the first team Granatto – who had the pleasure of competing in this World Cup together with her older sister Victoria – won gold in the Pan American Games of Lima 2019, the Pan American Cups in Lancaster 2017 and Santiago de Chile 2022, the silver in Tokyo and the Pro League title, in addition to this second place at the World Cup. In that tournament, he added two goals in six games played. “Majito he got tired of evading, not only today, but at every game “, commented Agostina Alonso.” The award he deserved, just like Belén and gorze. Those awards were a bit of justice. ”