Laia Codina (Campllong, Girona, 2000) lives in the present and takes refuge in it to get away from everything foreign to the ball. She always attends to the press with a smile and is interested in the person behind the recorder or the camera, even though she knows that some uncomfortable question may fall to her.
She answers transparently and without evasions, as she, a journalism student, would like to be answered. She is now in a great personal moment, after having established herself as the starting center-back for the selection. And this Sunday she will play, if coach Jorge Vilda so decides, his first final in the elite.
How do you sleep these days being a World Cup finalist? Happy. Because in the end we have been here for a long time and that all this has its reward makes it more exciting. It is very strong, we are in the final of a World Cup!
are you nervous already? If it follows the same course as in the quarterfinals or semifinals, I get nervous the night before or the day of the game, which is when my body really activates. I am calm and enjoying.
If they told you a few months ago that you would be here as a starter, would you believe it? My first goal was to be on the final twenty-three player roster. Imagine what it means for me to have played the last three games, in knockout stages, as a starter. No way would I have imagined it. But I have to think about what is happening at all times. So I didn’t have to be a starter, I accepted my role. Now yes. I accept it too and give my best.
And that you would reach the final? I said it from the beginning: this team did not set a ceiling. We knew that the bar was in the round of 16 and we had in mind that we could reach the final.
How do you prepare a final? I try not to change the routine of what I’ve already been doing, because what works, works. I like to watch what the rivals do. But I focus above all on myself, on what I have done well and badly in previous games.
You were in the semi-final between Australia and England. What did you see? That England was the clear winner. It is a selection that we already know, it is not a surprise. She was one of the favorites to reach the final.
How important is the mental factor when facing a final? very much I don’t know if it’s because of my position or why, but I think the degree of concentration needed in such a high-level match is extremely high and that requires you to be mentally well, fresh, and focused. We are prepared, we have players who have played in the finals in this team and they transmit that experience to us.
What do they tell you? Nothing in particular, we are treating it very normally. In the end, it is still a game of at least 90 minutes, which is what we have done all our lives.
It has been a hard year for you, you have received a lot of criticism for your decision to go with the national team. How have you done to move forward? isolating myself A bit of everything. I understand and respect people’s opinions, but my job is to play football and do it to the best of my ability and that’s what I’ve tried to do.
“I think a change is already being seen. The president is here, they give us all the facilities. I don’t think it depends on whether we win, it’s a process”
Player from Spain
Do you think that many people have spoken without knowing? Well, everyone has their opinion and their sources. We are clear that we are here to win a World Cup and we are about to play the final.
If you win, do you feel like it could be an opportunity for the players to be heard more? I think we are already seeing a change. The president is here, they give us all the facilities. I don’t think it depends on whether we win, it’s a process. But yes, if we win it can be a blow on the table, although more at the level of women’s football and repercussion.
“Eleven Barça players in the final indicate that things are being done very well. And what is achieved at the club both in Spain, with the League, the Super Cup, the Cup, and in Europe is no coincidence”
Player from Spain
As a journalism student, how about there being so much press here? It’s spectacular, we were discussing it the other day with Jenni Hermoso, who freaked out at the press conference prior to the semifinal. We are very grateful because it is what we have been asking for for years. Now it’s time to continue like this, all together hand in hand, so that women’s football continues to grow.
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Eleven Barça players in the final. What does this tell you? That things are being done very well, that what is achieved at the club both in Spain, with the League, the Super Cup, the Cup, and in Europe is no coincidence. These players are also having a lot of weight in their teams and we are proud that this is happening.
The World Cup is a great showcase. The cache has risen for you and a great team like Arsenal wants you. Do you have something decided? I don’t want to seem heavy, but I think that all you think about the future will be making a mistake. The mental factor is very important, as we said, and right now I only think about the World Cup final.