Courtesy: sefutbol.com

The coach of the Women's Futsal squad tells us how she went from the court to the bench and how the team is preparing the World Tournament of Costa Rica which will be held from the 10th to the 15th December

In SeFutbol we spoke to Alicia Morel, coach of the Women's Futsal National Team. In an interview, the international tells us how she went from player to belonging to the technical staff.

Start in Futsal
"I started when I was fourteen. Previously I had played handball, but the truth is that I enjoyed futsal a great deal more. In fact, when I was young I would run away from training to go to play futsal because during that time girls played with girls and boys with boys. Besides, at home they didn't think it was right to mix. When I was fourteen I met two girls who played futsal, they cheered me on to belong to the team in my city, Elche. I spoke to my parents... and it was where it all began. Until 2010 when I retired, I'd been playing and enjoying the sport. Then I started living it on the other side."

Changing the court for the bench
"The truth is that it was a very quick change. In 2010 I played the Women's World Cup which was held in Madrid, the first one and once it finished I bid farewell to the National Team. I spoke to the coaches about it being my last season and they offered me the chance of continuing, from the other side, as part of the technical staff. I combined being a club player and the concentrations as a coach with the National Team. Once that season ended I got my titles and I'm fully dedicated to it. Currently, I am the coach of UCAM, which in the Women's Second Division and I am learning from the best, helping out when I can."

The National Team nowadays
"The truth is that with regards to the previous national team there have been changes. There are five players who are new, who have never played in a World Cup. I think we've lost a little experience, but we've gained tactically, and excitement to learn. Women's futsal evolves just like any other sport and the coach are very well prepared, it's noticeable in the players. The clubs' work is very important, we're still working on our style. It's going to be nearly two weeks concentrated, the National Team can do something historic."

Style of the National Team... In Futsal too
"We've got a defined style in the Women's National Team. All the categories of the Spanish side, both men and women's team, we've got a game philosophy, which is not only translated on the pitch, but also on a daily basis, while being on duty...in everything. It is a very defined style that we all practice, with a strategy, an offensive and defensive tactics and which has made the National Team become World and European champions. Besides, I think that in the short run the Women's team will achieve great successes."

Rivals in the Costa Rica tournament
"A priori the group (Costa Rica and Guatemala) is doable, we are not going to have issues. The tough things will be the crosses because you can get Russia, Brazil, Portugal who are rivals to take into account. Brazil is ahead of all of us. They're the only World Champions, we respect them, but are not scared. We're aware that if we do things well, we can be ahead of them. We have to work on a daily basis, thinking of the next match, but the truth is that the competition will really start after the first crosses."

Brazil, memories of the Ciudad Real final
"What happened in Ciudad Real was a shame. The details in the match made the balance go for Brazil. They were not superior to us. We've corrected those mistakes, the girls are looking for looking forward to playing them. The truth is that if we don't face each other, nothing happens. The aim is winning the World Cup, regardless of who the final rival is. We don't mind, we welcome whoever. That said, if it's Brazil, we will fight. We've got a bone to pick with them since the final in Ciudad Real."






FP Staff --> info@futsalplanet.com