Damaris Igurrola returns to Spain for a while. The Orange Woman international was born in Orlando, USA, but moved to Spain at the age of six, where her father is originally from. Igurrola now competes for Orange Women against the country where she lived until 2020.
The Spanish team does not suit our style
There is a lot at stake in the UEFA Nations League semi-final. If they win, the Orange Women will win an Olympic ticket to the Games in Paris and then have a chance at Nations League glory. “It feels good to be here,” says Igurrola from sunny Marbella. “Even though I come from northern Spain, I still feel that being here is different than usual. It's the little things, like I can now speak Spanish with the hotel staff. It's also very good to be here with Orange. It's good to prepare “For such a big match.”
Spain and the Netherlands also met on 11 August 2023. Spain then won 2-1 over the Orange women's national team at the World Cup in New Zealand. Despite the defeat, Igurrola has a good feeling about the match. “We played well in the previous match against Spain. The difference was ultimately in the details. Just before our goal, we still had a great chance to score the winning goal. It was a very close game. I know the Spanish team doesn't want that. “I don't like Playing against the Netherlands. We are one of the teams that can make things very difficult for them. We have a lot of talented players and they don't like our style of football. That match is now a thing of the past. “The match will be completely different again.”
“It's emotional to see the goal against Belgium again.”
That the Dutch national team reached the semi-finals of the Nations League is largely thanks to Igurrola. The midfielder made it 4-0 in the group stage in the absolute final stage. The goal did not send Sarina Wegman's England, but rather the Netherlands, to the Nations League finals. The 24-year-old Olympique Lyonnais player reflects on the goal with a smile on her face. “I usually don't like to see my actions reflected. However, we watched a beautiful video here of the match and it was very moving. To see all that joy and euphoria. It will last for the rest of our lives, stay tuned, especially since my family was in attendance.”
The UEFA Nations League semi-final between Spain and the Netherlands can be watched on ESPN 4 on Friday from 9:00 p.m.
