If anyone knows what it is to defend the Spanish shirt that is Anna Montañana (Valencia, 1980). International in 129 clashes and with four medals (one silver, two European bronzes and a world bronze) with the absolute to her credit of the player, the Valencian coach acknowledges that she had the feeling that she could debut at the Eurobasket against Spain.
“Both my assistant Íñigo (Nuñez) and I had the feeling that I could touch us. They are feelings found because at the basketball level He is a very hard rival For us and I would not have liked to have it in the group. And after so many years playing in the National Team and being in the Federation, facing Spain will be exciting. I would tell you that it is even a bit complicated to face your own country ” Recognize the coach of Great Britain.
Anna Montañana applauds during a meeting.
After More than 15 seasons as a player, La Valenciana changed the shirt for the American in 2016. Since March 2024 she is the Great Britain coacha young team with two fundamental pieces (Temi Fagbénlé and Holly Winterburn) but with a lot of way to go: “This first year we have tried to create the identity we wanted in the team and we are very in the beginning. Classifying for the European is an award, but it is a group where we have to make and set the bases ”.
Facing Spain will be exciting. It is even a bit complicated to face your own country
From her past as a mountain player, learning of many teachers with whom she coincided on the road is carried out. “I've been lucky to have trainers since I started in Godella They have helped me get here. Miki (Vukovic) He caught me very young but laid the foundations for what the maximum demand and professionalism meant. Of Becky (Hammon) You could see that she would be a coach and her knowledge. Of Néstor García I stay with a lot of things, and it was the first person who gave me a real opportunity to be a coach, ”he says.
Know the rival perfectly
The Valencian knows Spain very well and also its members: this season he directed Andrea Vilaró and Iyana Martín in the perfumeries avenue. “As a player I was lucky with the people I crossed on the way and in this case I have also had it. I am very grateful to have found them for what they transmit, what they work and their talent. I hope they do the least damage to me as possible ”admits the technique, which in turn underlines the talent that Miguel Méndez's group has.
Spain is in a superilusive generational change and with players who have an incredible present and future. I hope they do the least damage to me as possible
“Spain I think it is in a superilusive generational change and with players who have an incredible future. And not only the future, the present of the selection is very exciting because they are forming a team with a lot of talent and even if it is a young group I think you do not have to look at the ID, ”Zanja.
Vilaró, before the premiere
One of the important pieces of this exciting group is Andrea Vilaró (Barcelona, 1993). The Catalan is clear that there is an important premise in tournaments: go for all from the first game. Therefore, He senses that the debut will not be a rose path: “I think it will be a good first stone on the road. Anna Montañana knows us well And we must be prepared, the first game is always important. I think they will try to play with speed, with fast transitions … and surely some defensive surprise will prepare us. ”
Andrea Vilaró, in a training of the Spanish team.
The escort, which won gold in the Eurobasket of 2019 and has 36 internationalities, has become one of the team's veteran. Vilaró exhibits prudence and states that playing two consecutive games (after the United Kingdom will come Germany on Friday) will force the cold head to be put into practice.
“We have to face every day as if it were the last one, they are two shocks in a row and there will be wear. We must be able to move forward and, when there are errors, not be focused on them. We really want and know that it will be a difficult tournament for the casualties we have, but We hope it is a championship where we go from less to more ”analyzes the player.
We have to face every day as if it were the last, they are two crashes in a row and there will be wear, but we hope it is a championship where we are going to less to more
Vilaró arrives at the Eurobasket after a hard season that tested his resilience. Responsible for head to feet, he acknowledges that this feeling complies is always present when he jumps to the track. “When I play I have a feeling that mixes fun and responsibilityin the sense that you have a team behind and you know that you should do your job for yourself and also for them, ”he admits. And Although responsibility always weighs, the illusion of dreaming is something that nobody can stop.
