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Women’s National Team

Montse Tomé: ‘I was impressed by the children's smiles. They cannot wait to see the national team’.

The national team coach, who announced her squad from Paiporta, appeared before the press at the Ausiàs March school.
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Wed, 12/02/2025 - 16:49

The national team begins its defence of the UEFA Women's Nations League in Valencia, as a show of support for those affected by the floods and where the team will play next Friday 21 February at 18:45h at the Ciudad de Valencia stadium. Two tough qualification matches against Belgium and England lie ahead, with the first points in Group 3 of the Nations League at stake

The coach has had emotional words of thanks for the welcome they received in the Valencian town of Paiporta, one of the most affected after the tragedy of last October: ‘Thank you very much to all the children from the school Ausiàs March, to its headmaster, to the city council of Paiporta and to the Valencian Football Federation. Thanks to the boys and girls who have helped us announce the list of the 23 players who will play in Valencia on the 21st against Belgium. We know that Paiporta is one of the places that has had the worst time during the floods, from the Federation we want to stand by you all, to shed light on your situation because you have been an example of struggle, courage and all the values that football also transmits’.

Visibly moved and surrounded by children, Montse spoke of her impressions on arriving in Paiporta: ‘I got goosebumps seeing the cloud of dust around Paiporta. I have friends, I spent three years in Valencia, a city that I love. To see it now is to feel it, not what people here have felt, but to experience it to an extent. I was impressed to enter the school and see the smiles on the children's faces. They've had a hard time, they've come through it and they're smiling. They want to see the national team and be with us’.

Check out this video to see the 23 players that four pupils from the school Ausiàs March de Paiporta called up for the national team.

 

The coach also emphasised the commitment of the RFEF and the solidarity they are showing with first match against Belgium being held in the region: "All the proceeds raised, just like those from the Men's National Team who will also play here, will go towards rebuilding this football pitch in Paiporta so that soon all the boys and girls in Paiporta can come here to play football once again."


On the sporting front, 2025 begins with a new and exciting chapter, with several titles on the horizon, starting with the defence of the Nations League title won in Sevilla a year ago and the team are still in good spirits: "We have been able to think about only football and feel football again; it is a virtue we have as a team, and we will do it again. We are really looking forward to the matches against Belgium and England." Regarding the match on Friday, 21st against Belgium, the coach is clear: the team must start with a win: "We are giving it total importance. Our focus, as a group, as a coaching staff, players, and support staff, must be entirely on Belgium before thinking about England. They are a strong opponent, and what we expect is to start this competition well. We will work on it from Monday, and prepare the players to compete well in the match."


Before playing for the first 6 points in the group, the Asturian coach expressed her confidence in her team: "What I expect from the team every match is that we are Spain, that we compete to win the games, and that we take care of the fine details. These last four friendlies have given us an extra boost, they have reinforced our confidence and made us believe even more in our potential. At a European level, any team can beat us, and that’s something we’ve been made aware of. I expect a competitive team."

 

In addition to the questions from the media, the coach also answered questions from schoolchildren who became journalists for the day, responding to them with great warmth. When asked about how to motivate the players, Montse said: "To motivate the players, who are already motivated because they really enjoy it... they always want to play, not study... They were born to play football, so they turn up motivated, but in the context of the highest level, we aim to help them and give them the calmness to maintain control during the matches."


At the age of four, I was already chasing a ball surrounded by children, which helped her grow up in "an environment full of trust and affection," and that is why I now takes pride in the progress of women's football: "Women's football has evolved a lot, there are more and more girls playing with boys in schools, there are more and more followers of the national team and the Liga F, who know the names and wear shirts with the names of our players. We hope to continue improving. We want you to look up to us and be a good example for you."

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