Perhaps one should start with Pak’nsave to tell the story of Spain at this World Cup. What Lidl is for the Germans, Pak’nsave is for the New Zealanders. There are 57 huge, yellow food discounters in the country – and one lit up the Spanish national team until the end. They had settled in Palmerston North, in a three-star concrete hotel surrounded by industrial buildings. This was somewhat surprising: Palmy does not have the best reputation, to put it mildly, in the middle of a country known for its wonderful nature. One could even say: an incredibly bad one.
The fact that this team of world-class soccer players stayed for weeks in the small town where the discounter is one of the main focal points of the population had the not too surprising effect that, according to media reports, boredom spread in the team, which is why the mayor soon got indignant and offered an invitation to a fun night out to salvage what was beyond salvage.
New Zealand media also reacted, with the tenor that the Spaniards should have informed themselves beforehand. They didn’t make themselves popular with the hosts, even if the association immediately denied it and expressed its great gratitude for the hospitality in Palmy, there was probably something to the story with the discomfort: the Spaniards are now living and training in Wellington.
So everything is fine, isn’t it? No way.
On Monday evening, in windy, cold weather, Spain lost 4-0 to Japan, which was enough to get them through to the last 16 against Switzerland, but it’s also a very serious warning shot for a team that was just getting into the flow. At least on the field.
Open detailed view
A dog may also be buried here somewhere: the former hotel of the Spanish women in Palmerston North.
(Photo: Felix Haselsteiner)
But the story is one of squabbles that goes far beyond Palmy’s boredom crisis. Away from the pitch in Spain, everyone is still thinking back to September, when the World Cup project was first threatened. Las 15 was established back then, a group of rebels within the national team. All of them highly decorated players who emailed the association that they no longer wished to be nominated. The reasons: Bad treatment, bad mood, “emotional and health” damage was suffered. And while his name wasn’t explicitly mentioned, most of the criticism was obviously directed at coach Jorge Vilda.
A gathering was recognizable – but then came Japan
However, the association defended its coach and did not give in to the protest, which is why there was no peace. Nevertheless, three rebels flew to New Zealand: full-back Ona Batlle, winger Mariona Caldente and director Aitana Bonmatí – all from FC Barcelona – Vilda could not do without. And of course the same was true for La Reina, the queen, the big number 11, also from Barça, who was out for a year with an injury and got fit just in time.
Alexia Putellas is part of this team again, she is supposed to lead it. But her return is also political: she missed the protest against Vilda due to an injury, but she supported her mentally and a royal government statement was therefore urgently needed. Only: “Alexia non habla” – Alexia doesn’t talk at this World Cup, every day she walks past the journalists without saying a word. At least others do.
Teresa Abelleira, for example, from Real Madrid, who is one of the players who has benefited from the absence of the twelve rebels and finds herself in the Spanish starting XI alongside Bonmatí and Putellas. “It is certainly true that there was this conflict,” she said during the week: “But we have made it our goal to be one unit for these two months. For an incredible goal to which we must subordinate everything.” Despite her new role, Abelleira is not exactly a fan of the rebellion and therefore paints the picture of a temporary community of convenience. It’s a temporary peace in the Spanish camp, others say so too: “You don’t have to be your teammate’s best friend,” Ona Batlle told The Athletic ahead of the tournament. But couldn’t you at least try if you’ve been sitting next to each other in a small town for weeks?
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Spain was brutally countered by Japan. In the end it was 0: 4, which not only stunned Jennifer Hermoso (number 10).
(Photo: Matthias Bergeld/IMAGO/Bildbyran)
A tussle was evident: the general mood among the Spaniards relaxed after the two clear opening wins against Zambia and Costa Rica, at least the processes worked on the field – but then Japan came along. The possession football of the Spaniards, who had played 934 passes after 90 minutes, was taken ad absurdum by the Japanese, who stood deep and waited for counterattacks. They scored four goals from seven shots in this manner in a remarkable game that shattered the illusions of dominance that Spain had been given credit for.
Aitana Bonmatí appelliert ans Team
It was a performance that posed very fundamental questions to a team, this time not only of a personal nature but also of a footballing nature. Vilda took “full responsibility for the defeat”, one player after the other got angry into the microphones after the game. Putellas ignored them again after a poor performance.
The real leader of this team, however, made a government statement, she even comes from the circle of rebels. Aitana Bonmatí had already appealed energetically to her team-mates on the field after every goal, but now she found the words that showed what a lived version of temporary peace could look like. One that could be successful, but should at least reach people at home in Spain: “In bad times I show character, I don’t want to see anyone on the field on the ground,” said Aitana: “We get up again with pride, with love for this sport, with love for this country.”
