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Claudia Pina: "Reaching the semi-finals is a challenge"

After training, the Spain striker spoke to the media
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Tue, 15/07/2025 - 15:49

In the press room of the Juan Antonio Samaranch training complex, the training facility for the Spain Team during the European Championships in Switzerland, located in the heart of the Olympic City of Lausanne, Claudia Pina answered journalists’ questions about the team’s current state.

With four days to go until the quarter-final clash against Switzerland, this is how Claudia is feeling: "looking forward to contributing, it’s a really nice group off the pitch and that’s important to make these days of camp more pleasant and help things go better on the pitch, I feel comfortable, happy and eager to give my all."

Looking ahead to the upcoming knockout stage of the tournament, the striker reflected: "obviously, it’s all or nothing, we’re focused on Switzerland, it will be very, very tough, with a full stadium and their crowd behind them, we’re already behind in that sense, but the team will go all out for the win. It’s a challenge to try and beat the hosts and get into the semi-finals. Switzerland are a very solid team, they have a midfield with three players who complement each other really well, and that could be one of Switzerland’s strengths."

Regarding the recent absences of Alba and Esther in the forward line, she commented: "They’re doing well, Esther has trained in the gym with only some minor discomfort. It’s just a precaution and it’ll be up to Montse who she wants to start."

The group is focused on continuing to improve, growing, staying competitive, and aiming for trophies: "There was a turning point, a lot changed – in travel conditions, in meals, in training sessions, in the places we stay, in how we’re treated... it’s positive for us and helps us keep growing and performing at our best to win major tournaments like this one."

 

All the players are important in making a difference, and when asked about Caldentey, she emphasised the importance of the midfield for the National Team: "Mariona is a very important player. At this Euros, she might not always be one of the most talked-about, like Patri, but she is who works behind the scenes and is essential to the team – it wouldn’t be the same without her type of player."


The player from Moncada i Reixach focuses a lot in the build-up to matches to bring out her best: "I focus on playing, trying to follow the game plan, enjoying myself and giving my best in every move. I don’t pay too much attention to what’s said outside. My teammates are performing at a very high level, we’ve scored lots of goals, so it doesn't matter so much if I am the one who scores them – my goal is to help on the pitch as much as I can, not just with goals and assists."

One of the top scorers, Alexia, has a special bond with Pina: "She’s supported me since day one, giving me advice from the start. Many years have passed, and luckily, we have lots of photos celebrating goals together – I hope there will be many more. When I was little, I’d place a bib in the corner and just wanted to kick the ball there. My dad said I never stopped shooting. Things are going well lately – even with my shooting from outside the box, which is one of my strengths – and I hope more goals like that go in."

And one of the keys is that each player feels part of the group, part of the whole, and plays the role they’re given at any given moment: "The group is important, feeling like you’re a part of it. You need patience – every player and every case is different. I chose to be patient and stay with my childhood club, and this year I’ve started playing a bit more. I’ll keep working hard to make sure it stays that way. At Barça we all feel really good, and the coach makes decisions based on the finer details. I have to keep working. I put in the work over the summer, worked with a nutritionist, a physical trainer and a psychologist outside the club – all of that has been very important and helped me be where I am today."

In training sessions, every detail is practised – including penalties: "Yes, we’ve practised penalties, we love taking them and we’re always asking for more. I don’t know who would step up in a match, and I hope it doesn’t come to that to avoid any heart problems."

 

Claudia Pina brushed off the label of Spain being favourites and the team to beat at this Euros: "I’d be lying if I said we’re not one of the strong contenders in the tournament, but when people call us favourites, we don’t really think about it. Just look at France or England. We’re focused on Switzerland – and playing at home gives them a big boost. There are still some very strong teams left who operate at a high level, and in the end, one goal can send you home. Football is football – fair or not – but at any moment, you can be out."

  

Listen again to Claudia Pina’s press conference

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