Spar Girona Faces Avenida in Crucial Copa de la Reina Opener

Tarragona, Spain – Spar Girona embarks on a pivotal journey this afternoon, heading to Tarragona to begin their Copa de la Reina campaign against Perfumerías Avenida tomorrow at 9:30 PM local time (CET). The team will have a full roster available, including Marta Canella, who, despite remaining sidelined with an injury, will travel with the squad to provide support to her teammates.

The Copa de la Reina represents a significant challenge for Spar Girona, and head coach Roberto Íñiguez emphasized the high stakes heading into the tournament. “Cada partit és una final, i la primera final és demà,” – every game is a final, and the first final is tomorrow – Íñiguez stated, underscoring the win-or-go-home nature of the competition.

Injury Updates and Team Availability

A key focus for Spar Girona will be the availability of Laura Quevedo and Chloe Bibby. Both players missed Sunday’s game against Valencia due to separate physical issues. Íñiguez expressed cautious optimism regarding their participation, stating, “I trust that Quevedo and Bibby, who were out on Sunday in Valencia due to different physical problems, “can help us.” He continued, “I can’t ask for more. I’m happy to notice their commitment. Both are putting everything into it to get to the game, but tomorrow we’ll see how they feel. If they play, it will be to help, it’s difficult for them to be in a normal situation. They will try, but it will depend on their sensations.”

The team’s preparation has been complicated by a tight schedule. Spar Girona will play their quarterfinal match with limited rest, potentially facing another game within 24 hours if they advance to the semifinals. However, Íñiguez downplayed concerns about the demanding schedule, stating, “The calendar doesn’t matter to me. The players always compete. Sometimes I’ve had bad schedules and won titles, and others with good schedules, I’ve lost them.”

Reflecting on Past Disappointments

The Copa de la Reina holds mixed memories for Íñiguez and Spar Girona. Last year’s tournament proved particularly difficult, with the team falling in the semifinals to Jairis in overtime. Íñiguez openly admitted that last year’s Copa was “the worst moment of the season.” He was unable to attend the games due to a suspension, forced to watch remotely and unable to directly influence the team’s performance. “I couldn’t go to the pavilion, I watched the games late and couldn’t help. It wasn’t easy for me,” he explained.

This year, Íñiguez is determined to shift the focus towards a more positive mindset. He wants his team to remain centered and prepared for each challenge. “We have competed in every game of the year,” he said. “Given the opponent, this isn’t a competition where People can start slowly. We have to improve as we go, because they have twelve players prepared to play.”

Preparing for a Physical Battle Against Perfumerías Avenida

Spar Girona knows they face a formidable opponent in Perfumerías Avenida. Íñiguez anticipates a physically demanding contest, emphasizing the need for his team to win individual battles. “It will be a very tough game because they will propose a very physical game. We need to be prepared to win individual battles. The game will have no respite,” he stated.

The coach also highlighted the unique and compelling format of the Copa de la Reina. “Roberto Íñiguez also valued the Copa de la Reina format as ‘attractive’ and emphasized that ‘every game is a final, and the first for us is tomorrow’,” according to reports. He added, “It’s a wonderful thing because it’s different, and different makes things special and unique. If you lose, you go home. It’s not the most important title of the season, but it is special.”

Canella’s Presence and Team Spirit

Despite being sidelined with an injury, Marta Canella’s presence with the team is a testament to her commitment and leadership. Her inclusion in the traveling squad demonstrates the strong team spirit within Spar Girona. Canella, age 31, is a veteran presence on the team, and her support will be invaluable as they navigate the challenges of the Copa de la Reina. According to team rosters, Canella is joined by teammates including Laeticia Amihere (24), Chloe Bibby (27), Arica Carter (29), and Mariam Coulibaly (28).

The team’s preparation has been meticulous, focusing on the “five details” that Íñiguez believes will be crucial to their success. He stressed the importance of mental fortitude and avoiding unnecessary pressure. “There’s a mental part, believing in it, and we shouldn’t have any pressure. We have to do things right. The pressure is only to do the five details we’ve worked on very well,” he explained.

What’s Next for Spar Girona

Spar Girona’s Copa de la Reina journey begins tomorrow against Perfumerías Avenida. The game is scheduled for 9:30 PM CET. The outcome of this match will determine their path through the tournament, with a potential semifinal matchup looming shortly after. Fans can follow the game and receive updates through the official league channels and Spar Girona’s social media accounts.

The team’s performance in Tarragona will undoubtedly be a key moment in their season, and they will be looking to build on their strong form and make a deep run in the Copa de la Reina.