Spain is quoted more liberated with history

The women's team seeks the semifinals of the European Championship against the host and favorite England

   MADRID, 19 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish women's soccer team will seek this Wednesday (9:00 p.m./La1) to qualify for the semifinals of the European Championship that is being played in England, although to do so they will have to get rid of a hostess who has been relentless until now, but with the release of have less pressure now.

The team led by Jorge Vilda fulfilled the first objective and despite the vicissitudes suffered before and during the tournament managed to overcome a complex group stage with two wins, against Finland and Denmark, something unprecedented until then in their history in a major tournament.

And now he will try to break down another barrier. Although Spain knows what it's like to play in the semifinals of a European Championship, because they already did it in 1997, on that occasion they did it directly from their group and without having to go through a previous match, a pending issue for a team that has lost in his four attempts. He could not do it in that match against Italy (2-1) nor in the quarterfinals of the 2013 editions (3-1 against Norway) and 2017 (eliminated on penalties by Austria) nor in the eighth of the last World Cup (2- 1 against the United States).

However, although the sensations have not finished being the best in the first three games and the rival, on the other hand, has exhibited overwhelming strength in both areas, there is optimism in the face of overcoming this obstacle and standing among the four best in this European Championship.

Spain has proven to be competitive and comes to this event with much more experience than in the previous ones. Already in the last World Cup he was able to protect himself and endure the almighty Americans, and he has neutralized England in his last two clashes, which in any case will have little to do with this Wednesday's in Brighton where a full house is expected to go on wings to those of Sarina Wiegman.

But in addition, and perhaps the most important thing, is that for the first time in the entire tournament, the Spanish are not designated as the favorites, a pressure that can relieve some more of some players who know that they have a good opportunity to do something great. Finland, a power like Germany and Denmark, despite playing the pass, placed their eleven players behind the midfield to hinder the style of Jorge Vilda's team, and now it remains to be seen if the hosts will be more ambitious and that can leave more spaces .

The coach hopes that the suffering and mistakes made in the first phase will be forgotten and that Spain can offer its best version, which mainly happens by showing more efficiency up front and not giving any type of concession behind or to the transitions of a team that has already made it clear that it does not forgive too much.

The Madrid coach assured at a press conference that the starting 'eleven' has been "decided". "Tomorrow we can make history, it will be difficult due to the rival's level, but we are confident and motivated. It is a challenge to reach the semifinals for the first time," he asserted. "I have 23 starters in the team. The 'eleven' has been decided, but anyone is ready to face the match with the maximum guarantees," Vilda revealed, adding that the 23 players "will leave their souls" on the pitch.

In order to counteract the English physique, Laia Aleixandri's return to the midfielder seems likely, while up front, Marta Cardona could be the option on the side and Esther González the solution to the scoring problem. Olga Carmona, after her good second half against the Danes, could have the opportunity of her on the left side by Leila Ouahabi, warned along with Irene Paredes.

The team will have a tough nut to crack against an England team they haven't lost in their last two matches, both friendly. In March 2020, a header from Alexia Putellas gave him the victory in the She Believes Cup, and a few months ago, in the Arnold Clark Cup, there was a goalless draw in a match with alternatives.

Both teams have had the most possession, over 60 percent, and they have had the most attempts in this EURO, so it promises to be an even match and where the details can tip it to one side or the other.

Sarina Wiegman's team, doubtful for the clash after testing positive for coronavirus last week and who have already warned that they will surely seek to have more of the ball than in the last duel, arrives thrown at this first crossing. After a somewhat hesitant start at Old Trafford against Austria (1-0), he ended his next two games with absolute force against Norway, which he overwhelmed by a historic 8-0, and Northern Ireland, which he beat 5- 0 despite having nothing at stake.

The hostess has a high-level eleven where players such as winger Lucy Bronze, a new signing from FC Barcelona, ​​the young Lauren Hemp, Beth Mead in a state of grace as evidenced by her five goals and three assists, and a dangerous striker like the tireless Ellen White.

   INGLATERRA: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly; Walsh, Stanway; Kirby; Hemp, White y Mead.

SPAIN: Sandra Paños; Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Mapi León, Leila Ouahabi; Aitana Bonmati, Laia Aleixandri, Patri Guijarro; Mariona Caldentey, Esther González and Marta Cardona.

--ARBITRATOR: Stephanie Frappart (FRA).

--STADIUM: Brighton

--TIME: 21.00/La1.