While the professionals are on the warpath, with 15 rioters because they say that the coach and the Federation are not doing things well to achieve goals, the girls from the lower categories fly, fighting again for the maximum prize. After the success of the U-20 women’s team, world champions at the end of August, it is the U-17’s turn, which plays today against Colombia (3:30 p.m., Goal Play) to also repeat the world title won four years ago . Marina Rivas (Jerez de la Frontera, 2005), is one of its strongholds. The Madrid CFF player, a versatile midfielder, has acted as a pivot during the championship and has become one of the essentials of Kenio Gonzalo, the coach. Hours before the final, she conveys her hope and that of her teammates in a telephone conversation from the national team’s concentration hotel in New Bombay (India), the scene of the final. -How are you feeling nervous? -They’re doing well. In this team we already know the sensations that you have before a final, because before the summer we already had the European Championship, which unfortunately we lost… Right now we are nervous, but with very clear ideas and with a lot of desire. The road to here has been difficult, we have been through different circumstances, such as Nina Pou’s knee injury before the quarterfinals. For her, and for all the teammates who couldn’t come, we’re going to give everything and play in this final. -“This does not end here, football owes us one”, you wrote in your networks after losing that final of the European Championship. How many times have you thought of that phrase in the last few days? -Very many. We all still have that match in our heads. Germany made things super difficult for us and in the end they ended up taking it on penalties, where you always depend on luck… I’m convinced of this team, of the desire we have and that football owes us. -Colombia awaits in the final with spirits of revenge because they beat them in the tournament premiere. What did you learn from them in that match? -It is curious that the first and the last match of this World Cup is against the same rival, yes. I think it will be a totally different duel, very competitive because we are risking our lives. The two teams have strengthened each other during the championship and we have learned from the mistakes we made in that premiere. -What does Kenio, the coach, transmit to you in these previous hours? -He does not try to downplay it, because it is a final and it is evident that he has it. But he does intend to convey peace of mind. He tells us to continue working the same way and that way we will arrive at the party reinforced. -And what makes this team to which you belong so special? -The union we have. Basically, we are a family and that is our strength. We have been working together for a year and we greatly value those hours of work. We also think of all the girls who couldn’t come. We are more united than ever. -How did you start in football? -Thanks to my father. The first day I went to the club I walked out of there crying. Today I love it and it is already my priority and my dream. When I was little, he signed me up for my town’s team and even as a child I was playing with boys. That is something that is very good for any girl who starts, because you gain more strength. Once I started with girls it was an amazing experience. -Can you get to the level you are at without the support of your family? – No, it is something fundamental. In my case they have given everything so that I am here today. When I was at Betis, the training camp was an hour from my house, and I really appreciate the effort my father made to not miss a day. Without that I wouldn’t be where I am right now. -Do you study? -I’m in my second year of high school. My priority and that of all my colleagues is football. But I think we are all aware that we cannot leave studies aside. Women’s football is advancing, but we can’t live from that now and we have to have another option, a cushion for what may happen. -What will you do next? I plan to continue studying, I have no doubt. When this year is over I would like to start Physical Education. I don’t want to get out of the sport. -She is an all-terrain midfielder, good at creating and defensively. Where does she feel most comfortable? Where does the coach put me? My position is pivot. I try to work and help the team in both facets, both offensively and defensively. -What makes you enjoy the most on a pitch? A good filtered pass, ordering the team…? -A good goal pass is what any midfielder can like the most. But helping the team defensively gives me a lot of satisfaction. -What do you take from India, apart from the football experience? -The culture is very different. Before I came I could imagine something, but until you’re here and you see it… These are things that you’re not used to and that make you value what you have more. -It was a long rally. How have the dead hours passed? -The main thing is rest. Any free time we have we use it for that. If not, all the compañeras get together and do any activity. -He has two tattoos. Will the third come with the World Cup? -There is something thought in case we are champions. But I don’t want to say anything until it’s a reality.
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