Spain has opted to keep faith in their Olympic Repechage Qualifier winning sides, as the Spanish Olympic Rugby Sevens Squads were announced. Both groups prepare now for final preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics in two weeks time. Both sides will be lead by their respective captains who have showed great character throughout the series and the qualifying tournaments.
Road to Rio
Pablo Feijoo and his merry men came from behind in Monaco at the Men’s Olympic Repechage Qualifier to beat Samoa right at the death. Their veteran Ignacio Martin ran in at the corner to break the South Pacific nations hearts, in possibly joining Fiji in the pinnacle of all sports. It has been a dream of the Spain sevens team (see picture below) so often the bridesmaid. Now they can have their time in the sun–with the gleam of Gold just around the corner.
The Spanish women (Los Leonas) Head Coach Jose Antonio Barrio has opted to take the same squad that has played so well in 2016. The Los Leonas gained their position at Rio by winning the Women’s Global Olympic Repechage in Dublin, where thy crushed the hopes of fellow European rivals Russia. The women have built on a pure skills-base and now that experience and determination see’s them stand beside 11 other teams in Rio de Janiero.
Spain Olympic Rugby Sevens Squads Named
Men’s Head Coach Jose Ignacio Ichausti (above, in red) has made just one change to the squad that won in Monaco, by roping in Marcos Poggi for Pablo Fontes, who is still with the squad but as a reserve.
The Spanish have a good understanding between them, with players who can deliver when needed to. Like they did in Monaco, they fought from behind against all odds to beat Samoa. That spirit will be needed in this three day tournament. They have met all these teams before and know what is at stake. With that knowledge, they will need to deliver with Martin, Feijoo and Plo Pla leading the charge.
Feijoo will lead his Men’s side into Pool B, which holds Commonwealth Games Sevens champions South Africa, Oceania Qualifier Australia and European champs France. The event will be staged at the Deodoro Stadium, from the 9-11th of August.
Not here to make up numbers
After the success at Monaco, plus their long history in the sport, Spain have clear goals. Not here to make up the numbers, they are in a supposed ‘Pool of death’. France may not have won a tournament on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, but they will be a hurdle for Spain to climb over. Matches against the leading Blitzbok and Aussie men will be the biggest challengers. Who knows, maybe the Spanish will to win might carry them through. Buena Suerte!
Spanish Men’s Squad: Pool B
Pablo Feijoo, Igor Genua,Angel Lopez, Francisco Hernandez, Joan Losada, Javier Carrion, Ignacio Martin, Plo Pla, Marcos Poggi, Cesar Sempere, Matias Tudela, Inaki Villanueva.
Reserves: Pablo Fontes, Victor Sanchez
Los Leonas To Defy The Odds
The Spanish Women’s side are ready to defy the odds in Rio. They have done that in the first stage of their goal, when they defeated favorites Russia to earn their spot in Rio. Now, the stakes are even higher but they have defeated some big guns before, like the United States side.
The timely inclusion of Barbara Pla in Dublin was instrumental in their repechage win. With Patricia Garcia, Berta Garcia, Vanessa Rial and ‘Captain Fantastic’ Elisabet Martinez, they will be out to test all teams to their limits. An ambitious group, coach Barrio wants his team to be highly confident. With a combined effort, they can attempt to be the very first Olympic Rugby Sevens gold medalists.
Éstas son las @leonasrugby olímpicas en @rio2016_es @COE_es @WorldRugby7s @deportegob #VamosLeonas #RumboARio pic.twitter.com/PY9tTjxlcV
— España Rugby (@ferugby) July 18, 2016
The Spanish women are in Pool B along with New Zealand, European counterparts France and African minnows Kenya. The main opposition will be powerhouse side New Zealand. The former Sevens Series champions are also highly motivated to convert historical domination into a gold medal. Kenya will be an ‘unknown factor’ where Spain should have an advantage.
Critical game
The critical match will be Spain v France (see main picture). If they can take that result away from the French, the Los Leonas have an opportunity to progress to the knockout stages where ‘anything can happen’.
Spanish Women’s Squad: Pool B
Maria Ribera, Berta Garcia, Elisabet Martinez (c), Barbara Pla, Patricia Garcia, Iera Echebbaria, Maria Casado, Vanessa Rial, Paula Medin, Angela Del Pan, Amaia Erbina, Marina Bravo.
Reserves: Lourdes Almeda, Irene Schiavon.
“Main photo credit”
