Spain crowned world champions as one: “It is all thanks to Juanjo Gutierrez. His decisions shaped the final, and we did the rest on court”

Coello: “I was not convinced about playing the third match, but there is little more to say: it was the perfect decision.” Lebron: “We went through difficult moments during the match, but Aimar gave everything and we did well to stay in the contest.” Paquito: “This is my last time representing Spain and we want to thank Juanjo. Those who have criticised him up to now should have the courage to apologise to him.”

 

DOHA – The trophy being passed from hand to hand, the celebrations, countless photographs, phone calls home, kisses, embraces and chants. And then, once again: the trophy being passed from hand to hand, the celebrations, countless photographs and everything else. Getting Spain, now world champions, into the press conference room, where dozens of journalists are waiting, is no easy task. Understandably, these players’ desire to celebrate is boundless and impossible to contain. And rightly so. Eventually, they make their way into the media centre, where Coello is asked the first question about Juanjo Gutierrez’s tactics: a stroke of genius or an act of magnificent madness. Asked about having secured the decisive point, Arturo, the first to speak, replies: “I do not want to take credit for something that is not mine. We have spent days discussing what we could do. We are fortunate to have the option of changing and varying the pairings, although, naturally, everyone in the team has their own preferences. Today, however, all the credit goes to him, to Juanjo Gutierrez. He saw something we did not, and had a different feeling about it. To be honest, I was not entirely convinced about the decision to play the third match, whereas he had the courage to go ahead with it.”

 

Speaking later outside the press conference, Juanjo said: “I took a risk, but taking risks is part of the game. I needed Arturo for the third match because he knows how to stay calm in decisive moments. He has a sort of killer instinct, which proved decisive in a situation like that, just as I had imagined.” Juanjo Gutierrez is the hero of the evening, even more so than Lebron and Aimar Goni, and Coello. The team celebrates and pays tribute to him, having embraced his decisions and turned them into a single winning force. Coello continues: “There was certainly a risk involved, especially considering that this was a final. But situations like this will arise more and more often because the level of the teams is very similar. In the end, the team that competed better won. Credit must also go to the way Aimar approaches this sport and to the winning mentality of this man, Juan Lebron. He may sing and joke around, but when he steps on court, he is very likely to win.”

 

Then it is Lebron’s turn. He jokes and sings before becoming more serious as he explains how he and his partner secured the decisive point: “We had our chances in the first set, but we failed to take them. There were difficult moments in the second set too, but we managed to fight our way back into a match that had become very complicated. In the third set, I think we were the better pair, partly because we managed to open up a gap on the scoreboard and manage our service games more effectively. But Martín and Leo played a fantastic match and deserve our congratulations. We are absolutely delighted. Playing alongside a partner who may have less experience than some of the more experienced players here is a great responsibility. But credit must also go to the young player, Aimar, who gave everything on court. I am truly delighted, also because of Juanjo’s contribution. His decisions made the difference.” Then comes Aimar Goni: “I am absolutely delighted to have been able to bring the Cup home. Playing with Juan makes everything much easier. I really do not know what else to say. I am so happy. I am thinking of my family, my friends and everyone who has supported me.”

 

 

Paquito Navarro, in his final appearance in the red shirt, also acknowledges Juanjo Gutierrez’s contribution: “First of all, I want to thank Juanjo. I think he showed tremendous courage and, fortunately, he will be able to return to Spain with his head held high! (laughs) We also had to deal with what was being said on social media, with so many opinions from people who seemed opposed to his decisions and ideas. I would like everyone who had already written him off to apologise to him. Above all, I would like them to show him a little more respect and stop behaving as though they know everything.” Paquito delivers a pointed message, before continuing: “Personally, it was a pleasure to play with Jon (Sanz). We had to face the toughest pair and, as you could see, being a veteran of the national team does not necessarily mean playing well. We probably received the biggest lesson of our lives (laughs, ed.).” The final word goes to the man who won the tactical chess match through his decisions, Juanjo Gutierrez: “You have to have the courage to make those decisions. You need to try to win, even if that means taking risks, because the players are at such a high level that the moves and counter-moves made by those responsible for selecting the pairings can genuinely make the difference. We were fortunate because everything we had imagined might happen actually happened. And here we are, holding the Cup as world champions.”