Oihane Hernández: the smile that builds a team

It was still the early hours of the last Saturday of summer when the screen of the phone lit up, anticipating the idyllic sunrise of the nearby Basque beach of Sopleana: "Today I'm playing."

With those three simple words, immediately answered with a "play like you know how," the Hernández Zurbano family knew that their daughter Oihane would make her debut as a starter in a World Cup, precisely on the day when Spain was poised to make history with its first quarter-final qualification. "I didn't expect it. I looked at Rocío Gálvez, who was next to me and had told me I could start. I got a little nervous, but at the same time, I was calm, confident in myself, and followed my parents' advice to enjoy the match and the experience."

In this serene manner, Oihane explains the specific details of a match that will remain in the collective memory of an entire country.

The Basque defender, a university student, a fan of Korean culture, and always a partner in crime with teammates like captain Irene Guerrero, Eva Navarro, Claudia Zornoza, or center-back Rocío Gálvez, is always friendly and sharing her bright smile. They highlight the positive atmosphere she always generates around her: whether it's painting their nails with colorful polish in New Zealand or giving her all for the team on the field.

With the upcoming match against the Netherlands this Friday as an imminent challenge, Oihane and the entire national team continue to work hard and unite so that the World Cup dream keeps smiling for this team.