The quarterfinals, the women’s field hockey team’s “minimum” goal

The women’s field hockey team will face the Paris Olympic Games with the “minimum” goal of reaching the quarterfinalsa hurdle they have not been able to overcome in recent editions and which they hope to overcome to enter the fight for medals.

Spain has been paired in Group B with Argentina, Australia, the United States, Great Britain and South Africa. The top four teams in the standings will advance to the quarterfinals.

“The quarterfinals is the minimum objective we want to achieve. We are confident in it although our first thought is the group stage to reach the best possible position. That is the minimum. From there it will be a matter of face- face or cross as a final, as something more exciting and motivating,” said women’s coach Carlos García Cuenca.

“We don’t play, but at every stage. The first thing is that and, from there, a huge illusion. We are in the most important event of our hockey. The team arrived with real and high expectations. The preparation has been effective. Honestly, I’m happy with the girls’ work and the competition will tell us if it pays off,” she commented.

Among the most important players within the Spanish team is María López, one of the team’s captains.

“We want to avoid the Netherlands but now we are focused on the group stage, we are not thinking beyond that. These are the Olympics, they inspire you and that’s why you get up,” he said.

For Xantal Giné the goal is to “focus on the group stage.”

“We want to be as good as possible to have the best match and obviously win them. I will approach these Games with great enthusiasm. We have a wonderful team, eager to compete and do things well fine,” he concluded.