3 hours ago
2
Spain defender Laia Codina says the satellite champions person go stronger due to the fact that of their battles some connected and disconnected the transportation implicit the past fewer years.
The astir notable of those was the furore and consequent repercussions caused by erstwhile nationalist shot federation brag Luis Rubiales kissing Spain subordinate Jenni Hermoso without her consent.
Rubiales was recovered blameworthy of intersexual battle past week successful a lawsuit successful which Codina testified successful enactment of Hermoso.
"As a group, for sure, I tin consciousness it - we are each truthful overmuch stronger. We, each of us, person suffered a batch disconnected the pitch," Codina told BBC Sport.
"A bully illustration is against Belgium [last week erstwhile they came from 2-0 down to triumph 3-2]. Two years ago, I deliberation we would person mislaid that game."
The battle occurred arsenic Spain's players received their medals aft defeating England to triumph the 2023 Women's World Cup, with Rubiales grabbing Hermoso by the caput and kissing her connected the lips.
A radical of 81 players boycotted the team afterwards and Codina, 25, appeared astatine the proceedings successful Madrid successful February to springiness grounds successful enactment of Hermoso's relationship of feeling overwhelmed.
She returned to London the aforesaid time and was an unused substitute successful Arsenal's Women's League Cup semi-final decision by Manchester City connected 6 February.
"The week that I had to spell to Madrid arsenic a witnesser was a hard week. It was pugnacious for maine evidently personally," added Codina.
"A batch of my team-mates astatine Arsenal could spot that determination were a batch of emotions. I was up and down. There was a feeling of everything again.
"But that week is done and I consciousness good. I consciousness I did what I had to bash successful that infinitesimal and I'm ever supporting Jenni [Hermoso] and my team-mates and the women.
"It is thing that made maine proud, truthful I'm happy. I don't consciousness similar it affects america close present successful the squad due to the fact that we don't talk astir it. It is not thing we tin control, truthful wherefore should we talk astir it."
Codina says she hopes present the lawsuit is over, radical volition speech astir Spanish players' achievements successful football.
After becoming satellite champions successful 2023, Spain went connected to triumph the Women's Nations League the adjacent year, and they are presently preparing for Euro 2025.
"I conscionable anticipation that everything present goes good and we talk astir shot finally," she said.
"We talk astir this squad that has been World Cup winners, Nations League winners. We privation to talk astir shot due to the fact that it is wherefore we are here.
"It is our occupation and that is thing that is going to beryllium amended for america and everyone successful women's football. I anticipation that - for Spain successful wide and for society.
"They person to spot america arsenic shot players - arsenic women's shot players - and they person to consciousness that they are arrogant of us. Just this."
Spain - who look England astatine Wembley connected Wednesday (20:00 GMT) - came from 2-0 down to beat Belgium 3-2 successful their Women's Nations League opener connected Friday.
Wednesday's opponents England person voiced their enactment for the Spanish players passim the Rubiales trial.
Last Thursday, England defender Lucy Bronze described them arsenic "incredibly brave" for speaking out.
"I saw immoderate words from Lucy Bronze and [England manager] Sarina Wiegman. I've heard them and it's truly bully to beryllium honest. I truly privation to convey them," said Codina, who is 1 of the archetypal Spanish players to talk publically aft the verdict, pursuing skipper Irene Paredes, who discussed it past week.
"Feeling that ace [kindness] from them, from a large nationalist squad similar them... England successful general, however they enactment for women's football, is thing that we person to look for.
"It's bully that we person those words. I'm truly grateful for that."
English (US)