Iyana Martín (Oviedo, 20 years old) has basketball in her veins. His father, Juanjo, played in the EBA League. His mother, María, in the Asturian team. They were both coaches at the Centro Asturiano in Oviedo and Iyana grew up next to a basket. Today it is the basis for the present and future of the Spanish team that this Monday (5:50 p.m., Teledeporte and Movistar) is risking its life in the World Cup. Miguel Méndez's team must beat Japan and for Germany to defeat Mali to be first in the group and reach the quarterfinals without going through a previous qualifying round. Iyana, chosen this summer in seventh position in the WNBA draft by Portland Fire, does not doubt the team or herself. She speaks as she plays, looking into the eyes, direct, brave.
Ask. Are you very upset about losing?
Answer. Yes, of course, like every competitive athlete, and even more so knowing that we could have been better. Being an athlete is learning and understanding that this can happen, and finding a solution.
Q. Have you always been so competitive?
A. Yes, I always, in everything. In board games at home, playing cards... My family stopped playing Parcheesi with me because I cried when I lost. I love competing. With my friends, whenever we play pachangas, we get into a lot of fun. Everyone develops their personality as they grow and I am super competitive.
Q. How do you feel on the court?
A. I only understand basketball by playing without fear. I go out on the track and I want to give 100%, compete, and that has to be without fear. I am not a player with a spectacular physique or skills... attitude goes a long way and I always have that.
Q. When playing, do you let yourself be carried away by that way of feeling?
A. Yes. My parents have always told me, to pay attention to my feelings. I am very impulsive, for good and bad. I tend to do a lot of what I feel at the moment, whatever comes out, and then we will regret it. I play by instinct, I trust myself and the decisions I make. Of course I can make mistakes and I have made mistakes many times, but I am confident in what I do. If I make a decision, I'm going to death.
Q. How do you mix that with what the coach sets?
A. The key is to find balance, adapt to what the team needs from me without losing my essence.
Q. What is that essence?
A. When I have to be more square, I try to be so, although it sometimes costs me a little. If something is asked of me from the bench, I try it. When I am given more freedom, I take advantage of it. Miguel in the national team lets me be myself a lot and that is essential because it gives me confidence to play without fear of what they say or don't say to me. I decide and I know that I am supported. If I'm wrong, he's going to tell me but he's not going to clip my wings. He lets me be me.
Q. What is this group like?
A. It is very special. Since last year, both the 12 players who are here and those who cannot be in Berlin, have been working for this. We are a brave, fighting team, we give our all. Then we can lose like against Mali, where we were not up to the task and on a physical level we did not arrive. But this team is going to continue believing, we have united more than ever and we are very clear about the objective. Let's all go together.
Q. Do you breathe that ambition?
A. Yes, we are super ambitious, or it would make no sense to be in a World Cup. You also have to be humble. Sometimes, not consciously, we can go beyond thinking and we have to live a lot every day, but always with the ambition of why not? Why aren't we going to win this game?
Q. Would you win the bronze medal at the World Cup?
A. I agree to go day by day, beat Japan and go little by little. I don't want to put a limit or a ceiling on this team, but I also don't want to take anything for granted. Win and go to the quarterfinals.
Q. How is your connection with Awa Fam?
A. It makes me very happy that you are here. All of our first times have been together and that makes it very special. Sharing experiences with people is the greatest gift you can have and even more so with a friend like Awa, who is very close. We only play together in the summer and we really enjoy each other. We understand each other and know each other very much.
Q. How can your game adapt to the WNBA?
A. I think Portland has a game similar to Europe, with transitions and direct blocks. I can adapt well because of how competitive they are.
Q. Are you still studying Speech Therapy?
