WOMEN'S U-20 WORLD CUP FINAL | SPAIN 1-3 JAPAN
Pedro López: "This experience will stay with the players forever"
Spain's Women's Under-20 coach said while his team picked up the silver medal, his players "are worth their weight in gold" after Friday's final defeat to Japan.
Spain's Women's Under-20 coach Pedro López said while his team picked up the silver medal in Friday's U20 Women's World Cup final defeat to Japan, his players "are worth their weight in gold" and he couldn't be more proud of them. He also had word of praise for captain, Patri Guijarro, who won the best player of the tournament award.
How are you all feeling after this result?
I'm very satisfied with my team. It's not easy to dominate the first 45 minutes then go in at half-time trailing. Even when the score was at 0-3, we continued to go all out to win the game. If that effort from Pina which hit the crossbar had entered, that would have spurred us on to try and level the game. I only know of a few teams who, at 0-3 down, keep pushing like we did this evening.
The final score is misleading, it doesn't reflect the efforts we made out on the pitch. My players are still in the process of learning and they have to reflect on what they have done in this World Cup. Even if they are going home with the silver medal, they are worth their weight in gold.
It's been a tough World Cup for Spain right from Day One...
Yes, it's been diffcult. It's been demanding since the first game, when we lost Ona to injury. After that, we lost Lucía and we were without Aitana in the final... But despite all of that, everyone saw the game we put in against Japan - the team created lots of chances, dominated possession - but we just couldn't win.
What can you say to your players to lift spirits?
I hope they know that the real prize isn't their silver medals but it is the memories that they will take away with them of this fantastic group of players and how they have performed at this World Cup. This experience will stay with them for the rest of their lives, while their medals might end up forgotten about in a draw somewhere at home.
Patri Guijarro was voted the Player of the Tournament
It's nice that they have recognized the merits, not just of the best player at the World Cup, but also a player who has worked hard with humility, not trying to be the big star but transmitting to the others how to confront this tournament. She is a shining example for the younger players.