Laia Codina: “If we win, it could be a blow to the table”

After establishing himself as the starting defender of the national team, he is now having a wonderful personal moment. Catalan center interested SPORT Hours before playing in Sydney, his first final among the elite, if the coach so decides.

How do you sleep these days as a World Cup finalist?

Happy. Because after all, we’ve been here for a long time and the fact that all this has a reward makes it more exciting. So strong, we are in a World Cup final!

Are you nervous already? Or do you save it for game day?

If it’s on the same course as in the quarterfinals or semifinals, I get nervous the night before or the same day, the day the body actually kicks in. I am currently a resident and in good spirits.

Would you believe it a few months ago if they told you you’d be a beginner here?

My first goal was to be in the final twenty-three cast. Think of what it meant to me to have played in the top five in the last three games. No way could I imagine it. But every moment I have to think about what’s going on. So I didn’t have to be a startup, I accepted my role. Now yes. I agree and I do my best.

And that the team will come here?

I’ve said it all along: This team hasn’t set a ceiling. We knew that the bar was in the last 16 and we kept in mind that we would reach the final.

How do you prepare for the final?

I try not to change the routine of what I’m already doing because what works is what works. I love watching what competitors are doing. But above all, I focus on myself, on what I did well and badly in previous matches.

You were in the semi-finals between Australia and England. What did you see?

England was the clear winner. A choice we already know, no surprise. He was one of the favourites.

How important is the mental factor when facing a final?

Too much. We are prepared, we have players who have played in the final in this team and they convey that experience to us.

What do they call you?

Nothing special, we treat him very normally. In the end, it’s still at least a ninety-minute game, which is what we’ve been doing our whole lives.

It’s been a tough year for you, you got a lot of criticism about your decision to join the national team. How did you do to move forward?

I’m isolating myself a little bit of everything. I understand and respect people’s opinions but my job is to play football and to do it my best and that’s what I’m trying to do.

Do you think many people speak without knowing it?

Everyone has their own opinion and resources. We are clear that we are here to win a World Cup and we are about to play the final.

If you win, do you think it could be an opportunity for players to be heard more?

I think we’re already seeing a change. The President is here, they are giving us every opportunity. I don’t think it depends on whether we win or not, it’s a process. But yes, if we win, it could be a blow to the table, albeit more at the level of women’s football and its repercussions.

As a journalism student, how about there being so much press here?

Great, we were arguing the other day with Jenni Hermoso, who was freaking out at the press conference before the semi-finals. We are very grateful because this is what we have wanted for years. Now is the time to go hand in hand, so that women’s football continues to grow.

11 Barça players in the final. What does this tell you?

It is not a coincidence that things are going very well and that the club has achieved success both in Spain, in the League, in the Super Cup and in Europe. These players also have a lot of weight in their team and we are proud that it happened.

The World Cup is a great showcase. The cache has increased for you and a great team like Arsenal wants you. Have you decided on anything?

I don’t want to sound harsh, but I think all you think about the future will be to make a mistake. As we said, the mental factor is very important and right now I’m only thinking about the World Cup final.