The phrase is attributed to Lao Tse “To lead people, walk behind them”. That has done Alba Torrens (Binissalem, 1989) In this tournament. To their 35 yearsthe Balearic has led to a new batch of players towards the Seventh final in the history of Spain.
The Mallorcan, who has a rope for a while, is a specialist in collecting titles: Nine medals with the selection, six Euroligas, a European Super Cup, two Spanish leagues, a Turkish and seven russiansand countless individual awards. Immersed in its seventh continental tournament, It attends to brand before playing what will be the fourth European final (7.30 pm/LA1) of his curriculum after those of 2013, 2017 and 2023.
Ask. That of carrying the number 7 … How did it start?
Answer. The truth is that the story is quite simple, but it has its meaning. As my parents told me, my first basketball training was a Monday and on Wednesday there was already the first game. Then the coach gave me a kit that was with number seven. And from that moment as long as I have always been able to have chosen the seven.
P. Justo has seven Eurobaskets. Does this live in a different way?
R. All those who have lived have lived differently and that leads me to the reflection that you cannot compare. I think that when you have already competed in a tournament and you play it again, it is an exercise to surprise you and not think about the past. Enjoy the moment. Everything changes, because we change, the teams evolve and the rivals as well. I think that if you stay in the past or thinking that 'as I have already lived I am more prepared …' I think that is a trap. And the key is to try to live it as if it were the first time. This tournament is different from others and is being very special.
Alba Torrens, captain of the Spanish team.
Q. In this tournament we have seen it frustrated, even shout in the air after a triple wrong, or excited after getting the classification for the semifinals. How is the balance between going to the chest discovered and not letting yourself be taken by emotion?
R. I think I must recognize that in some moments when things did not go well … (laughs). But those moments have also given me the limits to continue yielding and not keeping frustration. And if in a game the emotion has gone up, in another I have tried to reduce it. When you listen and make that reflection, not so much self -criticism, but seeing what you can improve, I think you can see that feeling emotions is also important, always without letting you dominate you. Emotions don't identify you either, you just have to see when they overcome you so they don't control you.
You have to enjoy the moment. Everything changes, because we change, the teams evolve and the rivals too
Q. A leader preaches from the example. In the semifinal match their hands seemed faster than the speed of light when stealing balls …
R. We know that basketball is a sports and errors sport. I did not even a triple in the semifinal … (laughs) but I am happy because that did not prevent me from doing other things.
.
I went through my head, especially before the game, being concentrated and forgiving my mistakes. I think it is very important, and it is one of the great learning that this sport has given me, forgiving the same. Do not get trapped in that error and that can condition you too much in the following action. And the recoveries in the semifinal were positive actions, but there were also negative. I am happy to have been able to help the team at that time. It is the mentality I have, try to add one way or another. And that is my true purpose and what I have tried in each party.
Q. What have you learned from the team's young women?
R. Naturalness. They are a generation … I don't know what word to use, but I would say they are an example of 'freedom'. And I like that because they have taught us that freedom to be themselves in everything. And also maturity. It seemed that it should be the one that should encourage them or give them support, and in reality they have given me. They have taught us that the thing is not age, it goes from people and team. And I think there have been no hierarchies, but that they have helped me much more than they believe. I also see a healthy passion and competitiveness. I think they are generations, because there is more than one, eager to play, to do well and win, but in a very healthy way. They take great care among them, a lot. They are very good companions and seeing how they do that has also helped us create the team.
It seemed that it should be the one that should encourage young women or give them support, and in reality they have given me. They have taught us that the thing is not age, it goes from people and team
P. On Sunday in front of Belgium will be Emma Meesseman, MVP of the tournament in 2023. Many years played in Ekaterimburg. The Belgian captain states that she learned from you that 'life is fun if you do it like that.'
R. I like that he said (laughs). What to say about Emma … is one of the friends who has given me basketball. For me it has been an inspiration, an example on the track and outside it. She is a player … with a huge heart and it is true that many fun moments we have shared playing together. It is one of those players who humanizes the professional without neglecting wanting to always win, giving everything always … but always does it in a very human and very authentic way. I would tell you that in one way or another is a player who is always.
.
Q. Have there been moments where basketball has not been fun?
R. Yes, there have been moments of all colors. But I have not escaped them, I have lived them. And I think that within this positivity with which I try to face each situation, I am also realistic. Because there are moments of everything and that is life: white would not exist without black. You try to accept that every moment appears to continue growing and evolving, and you trust that everything has a reason for being even if at times it is difficult to understand it.
I don't like the word 'revenge' because I don't like going to the past. We are in the final and we have to see what we can do to win this final. We have to go for it and provoke what we want, which is to win
P.The 2023 final is repeated again. Is it time for revenge?
R. I don't like the word 'revenge' because I don't like going to the past. This word can lead us to the final of the 2023, to past emotions … I think it is better to face it in another way. We are in the final and we have to see what we can do to win this final. Not what can happen … we have to go for it and cause what we want, which is to win. And for this we must focus on the now. Not thinking about what happened, but what we can do to win this game. Think about that common goal we have, which is to win gold.
Alba Torrens, in action in the party against the Czech Republic.
Q. Are there nerves?
R. Right now there is a mixture of tension, concentration … that of wanting to prepare well for tomorrow. If you ask me tomorrow before the game I would tell you yes, but they are nerves of those that you like because they indicate that it is something important and that we want to win.
P.He debuted with 15 years at the U16 and has traveled the world with the Spanish shirt. His family has also been going through pavilions seeing her play.
R. Without them I would not be here. You don't do the way alone. There are many people who help you at all times to get your dreams. I have had the great fortune to find what I like most in the world, which is to play basketball, and I have also been lucky that the people around me have accompanied me from the first moment. I have felt free love, love and freedom to do what I wanted and fight for my dreams. And sometimes I have lived moments when you could feel selfish, because basketball steals you a lot of time, you are far, you miss moments … but they have always encouraged me to continue and have accompanied me. And I can only thank you. This would not have happened without them: my parents, my sister, my uncles, my cousins, my friends … and although everyone is not here, I get their energy. In the moments of doubts, they have never doubted me and that has made me continue up there for so long. They have also given him the sense of being a shared path and you see that this is the best.
I have felt free love, love and freedom to do what I wanted and fight for my dreams
Q. Is there any recurring message that you receive before the matches for your part?
My mother or my father always send me a message saying that he enjoys. And in many moments it has been a great reminder because sometimes you enter a pressure, professionalism, … and sometimes clicking that less is more, and that is a game, at many times it has worked.
