‘They are competitive teams that always demand the best from you’.

England, Belgium and Portugal are all in Spain's path to glory as the three of the national team's group-stage opponents in next year's UEFA Nations League. After Thursday's draw, held in Nyon, Montse Tomé now knows that defending the crown will be demanding from day one, a huge challenge for a team that is also looking forward to a very exciting UEFA European Championships in 2025.

My assessment is positive, it's a good group,’ summarises the Asturian coach, aware that, at this level, any opponent will cause problems. ‘Even before the draw was made, we knew that any opponent was going to be difficult. I think that, one of the things that is really being achieved with these competitions like the Nations League, is our national team  being able to face different rivals in an elite competitive context. England, Belgium and Portugal are three teams that we see in different ways and we will have to be at our best.

Obviously, England is the most important team in terms of history, track record and squad, a great team, as Tomé says, with ‘a very defined style’. ‘The last time we faced them was in the World Cup final. It's a team that has experience in important competitions, reaching finals and winning major championships such as the last European Championship. In addition, they have different players who I think can make the difference. They have a good attack and, from there, they can generate a lot of danger, they are very competitive’.

Belgium and Portugal, now in the battle for a place at the European Championships, complete a group in which there is no room for complacency. ‘Portugal are a team I know well, even though I haven't played them as a coach. I know the Portuguese league, it is growing. They are intense players and I've also known the coach for a long time. It's a team that likes to vary their structure during the matches and they have players like Kika, who right now could be the one who has the biggest role. Or Tatiana Pinto, who is in our league. They are going to be a good opponent, says the coach.

With Belgium, Spain also have to take into account several different aspects if they want to come out on top. They have already played against them recently and have shown they have more than enough arguments to say that they will put up a fight. ‘It's a team that, with its defensive structure as the base, has a good midfield and tries to play fast in transitions with players who already have experience like Wullaert, Cayman...’, says Tomé. ‘In midfield there are players who, defensively, occupy a lot of space and always make it an intense game and make it difficult for you to play your game’.

All in all, it's a difficult but exciting road ahead for a Spain side who have a lot of hopes for the new season. ‘They are competitive teams, teams that at international level always demand the best from you. Everyone is going to try to establish themselves on the pitch and I'm happy with the draw. They're opponents we're going to analyse from today onwards, although we've already got a good idea of some of them,’ said the coach.