Mario Santos “Playing in the Minieuro has been the best experience of my life”
The MVP of the Spanish team in the Minieuro of Montenegro, Mario Santos, has spoken about how much the tournament meant to him. Along with the rest of the Spanish team qualified for the second stage of the competition in a tough group with Czech Republic, Turkey and England, they managed to qualify, before losing out to Slovenia 3-1.
However, it is Santos, born in Los Corrales de Buelna (Cantabria) 30 years ago, who stands out for its ability, left foot and powerful direct throws.
The first phase
About the competition in Montenegro he confesses that “undoubtedly, to play Minieuro has been the best experience of my life. To hear your national anthem before you start the game gets you very excited.” Regarding the competition itself, he says that ” in the first game we faced a major power like the Czech Republic. It was our most complete game since we were strong in defence and attack successful, so began our journey with a great victory. They rotated a lot to have the coolest people, but gave us just because we leave few options. ”
After the gameTurkey, “which was the weakest team in the group but even then knew what having played a very good defensive approach. We drew and get first access to Spain for the second phase since last year by a goal did not go round “.
Santos continues saying that “we played England to top the group and get a good draw in the knockout rounds. We played superbly and got a valuable victory that put us top of the group “. He smiles when he tells that “in the hotel Montenegrin people came to see us, to encourage us and take picture with us. That had never happened to me and it was something great. ”
Knockouts
Spain’s rival was Slovenia. Mario says that “fin terms of our football, we were better than them. We played better. In the first half we showed it and passage to the next round seemed on track when we got to Half Time. However, in the second half Slovenia changed everything. Its direct game started to hurt us and in two minutes with his starring striker got us two goals that changed the fate of the match. “Thinking back says, “It was a shame because we had the team and game to be higher, but that’s football.”
The future
Along with his fellow players in the Pub Duende side, Santos works to be champion of the region, go to the Championship of Spain in Valencia and open to many players return to play in this competition. “It is my goal to play this year Croatia. We know it will be very difficult but do not lose heart and fight until the end to achieve “confesses front lefty specialist in set pieces.
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