Spar Girona enters its Eurocup debut against Czech side Ostrava on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. local time under significant pressure, seeking to snap a five-game losing streak. The team faces a difficult stretch following a loss in the Catalan League final to Cadí La Seu, an early exit from the EuroLeague qualifiers against Emlak Konut, and three consecutive defeats to open the domestic Liga Femenina campaign.
Roberto Iñiguez Demands Increased Discipline
Head coach Roberto Iñiguez has called for a shift in team culture as the squad prepares for the European competition. Addressing the media, Iñiguez stated that the team requires less sympathy and more rigor to overcome its current form. “We have to talk little and work a lot,” Iñiguez said, acknowledging that several players have yet to reach the necessary physical and tactical levels required for their schedule.
The coach emphasized that the team must prioritize self-improvement over studying their opponents. “If we don’t improve how we compete, how we express ourselves on the court, and how we execute our systems, we have to work more on our own things,” Iñiguez noted. He explicitly rejected the notion of complacency, stating, “There has been too much understanding, complacency, and affection. We must go from discipline, focus, and work, and not make excuses. It is not necessary to be friends with the players.”
Injury Setbacks Impact Roster Depth
The team’s preparations are hampered by multiple physical concerns. Point guard Iyana Martín is unavailable for the Ostrava match after sustaining an injury during the recent game against Jairis. While Iñiguez stated that the injury does not appear to be severe, she is expected to be sidelined for a period. The coach expressed frustration regarding the medical process, noting that the player’s resonance scan had to be repeated, which he described as a complication in the team’s routine.
Additionally, Laura Quevedo will undergo surgery to address chronic plantar fasciitis. Iñiguez supported the decision for the procedure, citing the player’s long-term health and lack of peak performance as primary factors. “I encouraged her to have the operation. The most important thing is her health,” he said. With Quevedo and Martín out, alongside the ongoing absence of Merceron, Iñiguez stressed that other members of the squad must take on greater responsibility in the coming weeks.
Focus Remains on Internal Correction
Despite the start of the Eurocup, Iñiguez remains focused on internal team standards rather than the tournament’s broader implications. When asked about the team’s goals for the European competition, he maintained a narrow perspective: “I have no idea what it will be for. I focus on doing the best work possible.”
The team is scheduled to face Ostrava on Wednesday, marking the next opportunity for Girona to find its rhythm under Iñiguez’s mandate for increased intensity. The coaching staff plans to conduct individual assessments of the Czech opponents, but the priority remains the team’s own execution and physical conditioning.
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