Ahead of the 15th edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup taking place in Spain and the Netherlands (1-17 July), we’re conducting a series of exclusive interviews with the participating teams. Today: Maria López (ESP).
Maria, you will soon be playing the next FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup at home. How do you feel about that?
Maria López: We feel so excited because for us it's an incredible experience to play at home, with our friends and families cheering for us.
What can you tell us about the Spanish venue – Terrassa - especially for hockey fans who maybe haven’t been there yet?
The venue is amazing. The organisers have prepared a lot of things for the fans. Also, in Barcelona we have really good beaches, the sun is always there and the food is delicious! So I think it's a great experience for all the fans to go to this World Cup and enjoy not only hockey but also all these things that are prepared for the fans.
Spain have played almost all editions of the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup, with 11 participations in total. The team's best result was at the last World cup in 2018, with a bronze medal. Since you were there, can you tell us about your experience and what it felt to be on the podium?
We have really good memories from that World Cup. For us, it was something incredible to reach a bronze medal. We remember that with a lot of joy because we felt so united, not only with the players and the staff but also with our families that were there. It was amazing and I will remember this forever!
What are your expectations as a team for the upcoming World Cup?
We have a lot of new players and also members of staff. I think we have a really good team, but we need to focus on ourselves and on every game, especially on the Pool matches. We have to go step by step and game by game to reach our goal.
This season you've been playing the FIH Hockey Pro League. This gave you the chance to play against the best teams in the world on a regular basis. How is this experience for you and your team?
It's great because for us playing regularly such high-level matches is so good. We can improve our game, we can get to know each other so well and also know the other teams. So, for us it’s incredible and so important to play these Pro League matches.
In the Pool stage, you will play against Argentina, Canada and Korea. How do you look at each of these teams?
I think the group is really hard. Argentina and Korea have a lot of really good players, very skillful and physical. The same goes for Canada; all the games that we play against Canada end up with a draw, I think. It's a team that puts us in trouble. We have to focus on ourselves rather than looking at the rest of the teams.
Which message would you like to give to your fans?
I would like to invite all the fans to go to Terrassa, not only to see the best players in the world but also because all the things that the organisers have prepared for them. And also, as I said before, because of the weather, the beaches, the food! The atmosphere will be amazing!
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