He only has been playing volleyball for six months afterAn injury that almost costs the racestill Ana Escamilla It was the 'stuff' of Spain against Türkiye. And the top scorer, third of the match, with 13 points. Figures that are not enough to Ana Escamillaan unconformist athlete who always wants more, as happened with his fateful failure in the serve when Spain was close to forcing the fourth set. A failure that is already part of the past for her, since now her mind focuses exclusively on Canadaparty that starts Today at 11:00 a.m. and the one who has spoken in brand before facing them.
There are times that I am a little more self -examinant and it is worth remembering that six months ago I was not playing at volleyball
ASK. Two days ago it was that first contact with the World Cup. You lost 3-0, that is undeniable, but I think that instead of losing a game, you won respect on the track. I don't know how you felt it.
ANSWER. Yes, of course it was what we feel. In the end, the role we did, despite losing 3-0, I think it was a positive role. And, as you say, in the end I think we show that all teams have to have respect for us, because, well, if they don't have it, we can put a scare. So they were very positive sensations since tomorrow's game.
Q. The trip on the bus, enter the pavilion and see everything full, especially fans supporting Turkey the majority … were they nerves prior to the game?
R. The truth is that the nerves were noticed. They were noticed, above all, in warming. The good thing is that those 45 minutes to heat also serve a bit to release all those nerves. So, well, they were, we released them and, at the same time, effectively, we do notice a little more support for the Turks, because in the end, well, they are players who are very famous here and people follow them a lot. Although we also had a small support from families from Spain and also some Spanish people who were in the pavilion, they all noted enough. So, that also gave us some encouragement.
I ended a little with a bittersweet taste of the game, especially since the serve of the serve on the 23-23 of the last set chopped me.
Q. On a personal level, how did you feel? Because, of course, you came from having started playing in February, little by little having to recover, with the clear objective of being in that World Cup. Entering the track and being the top scorer, had to be comforting.
R. Yes of course. I am very happy, above all, of being able to be able to enjoy with the companions and I can contribute, as I contributed on Saturday, because much more, right? But it is true that the evil is forgotten soon and sometimes it is good to remember where you come to be satisfied with the role you are doing. Because there are times that I am a bit self -examinant of more and it is worth remembering that six months ago because I was not playing at volleyball. So, well, very happy.
Yes I ended a little with a bittersweet taste of the game, especially since the looting of the serve on the 23-23 of the last set was bitten and left a little with that … Well, with that spark there in my chest. But, as I tell you, very happy to be able to contribute as I contributed and I hope to continue doing it.
Ana Escamilla blocking one of the best players in the world, Melissa Vargas, in the first match of the World Cup in Thailand between Spain and Türkiye
Q. Did the Turkish players told you at the end of the game?
R. Well, the truth is that no, we are not talking to them much, but, well, we did see the statements of Zehra (Güneş) and, well, we know that they had respect to us and it was also noted that it was really a team that played us from you to you. So we don't receive that feedback, but we do notice.
Q. The two Patris, Lucía, you … are there enough mimbres to stand up to Canada? What is the way to do it?
R. With the same mentality as when we play against Türkiye, that is, in the end our options to win the game go through the defense. Then, we have to be equally aggressive in defense and with that winning mentality of, that if we really manage to take balls in defense, we will complicate the game a lot to the Canadians. That is the key to tomorrow's game.
Q. When I talked to Pascual Saurín, he told me that I had made a conspiracy with you of 'we will not be better than the rest, but we are going to give everything much more than the rest.' Have you taken it to the letter?
R. Of course. We are clear that our options, as I tell you, go through defense and in the end the defense is something very attitudinal. If we really have that aggressiveness of leaving everything within the field, it will be reflected above all in defense. So, of course we are clear that we have to be the best.
I'm sure we were all convinced to force the fourth set
Q. At any time in the third set you thought you could win that set and plant you in a room?
R. Yes, I personally do. And at the group level I think too. The truth is that I have not spoken much with the companions because we are already focused on tomorrow's game, but I am sure that. I had that feeling inside the field. That's why I also left with that bittersweet feeling.
Q. Have you seen yesterday's game of Bulgaria and Canada?
A. Yes, we have seen something. We have seen the good role they did, which are very aggressive players, especially in blocking and attack. And well, that is where we are going to suffer, but they also have weaknesses and that is what we have to take advantage of.
The full Spain staff receiving a gift from the organization for participating in the World Cup in Thailand 2025
Q. What weaknesses do they have?
R. Well … they are very high players, so going to the ground will cost them a lot, especially the opposite. I think the game can happen a bit because of that, because they are a bit tired and make them go to the ground.
Q. The image against Türkiye is very different from the one offered in the first period. What has changed?
R. Above all, what has changed is the blow of reality. Perhaps in the first period we thought that the group, having played a good role in the other summer, was already prepared for this summer to continue doing it. And maybe … call it that we trust a little and I think that happened to us. That coup of reality has made us that in this second period we would have the awareness that we have to work and that without work things do not come out. And, of course, the motivation of being in the World Cup, which is also an extra.
It is very nice to receive that feedback from the people because we also have that feeling that we played a good role and that we can face the two teams that come to us now
Q. At first, before playing against Türkiye, there were not many people who believed you could win a game and then it seemed that you had won the World Cup. How do you feel all public opinion?
R. It's very nice. It is very nice to receive that feedback Because we also at the group level we have that feeling that we played a good role and that we can stand up to the two teams that come to us now. While it is true that, however, they are still two teams superior to us and very complicated to beat, but that playing a role like the game against Türkiye we have possibilities. In addition, we must see if we know how to take the opportunities that arise in both games.
Q. The amount of points you would earn in the FIVB ranking if that happens …
A. It would be wonderful to beat Canada because to climb in the ranking, it would be much noticeable. We would win many points and that would be a plus for us. But, regardless of ranking, it would also be a joy at the group level, plant them face and also that the rest of the selections continue to have respect.
Q. To close, do you look in the competition beyond August 27 when the group stage ends?
A. That question is difficult, that question is difficult … Look, a fairly psychological job that I am doing is thinking about the day to day and what I think is in Canada. I'm not even thinking about Bulgaria. I prefer it, go day by day and, hopefully, be able to be beyond the 27 here.
