The accounts don’t work out. Spain has published the list of the eight players who will represent the country in the World Cup in Qatar, but the positions do not add up. There are three backhand players, with five forehand players, although everything would fit if we count Lebron as a backhand player… but then the couples would have to be restructured for the final. It is the great unknown regarding Juanjo Gutiérrez’s call.
It was clear that Arturo Coello, Ale Galán, Paquito Navarro and Juan Lebron were going to be there. However, the other four gaps were a mystery, as there were many options at a similar level and it would depend on the tastes of the coach or the moment of form of each one. Momo González and Javi Garrido have been left out for them to enter Jon Sanz and Coki Nieto. Together with them, Mike Yanguas and Álex Ruizwho are two other right-wing players. Furthermore, they will not be Cardona, Arroyo or Edu Alonsowho are completing a great season.
Jon Sanz and Coki Nieto, during the Finland Open of the World Padel Tour.
With this list there are two solutions. The first is the simplest and is continue counting Lebron as a right-wing player. Galán would play again with Coello, ‘Lobo’ with Paquito and in a third game it would be Coki with Jon, Yanguas or Ruiz who would have to solve the problem.
The other is to bet on Lebron in the reverse, which would force the puzzle to change.. I could no longer play with Paquito, but He would have to get together with Coello, Yanguas, Jon or Álex. The big problem would be forming new pairs or leaving out Paquito Navarro, with all that that entails.
Objective: avoid the third match
The key to winning the World Cup against Argentina may be to avoid the third game. The last time Spain won this tournament was in 2021, with this same formula. However, Argentina will present two very strong first couples that they will force Juanjo to put all the meat on the grill.
Spain was proclaimed two-time world champion in Doha in 2021.
In a scenario without surprises, Tapia-Chingotto and Stupa-Di Nenno will be the first to defend the albiceleste. Against this, Galán and Coello are authentic competitiveness insurance, despite the fact that they lost against the ‘Superpibes’ in 2022. The problem is that Lebron and Paquito, who would be next, have not left good feelings on their return this season and it may have been the key to betting on the ‘Wolf’ in the reverse.
Start with an alternative like Galan-Jonwhich already worked very well together, and then continue with Coello-Lebron and end with Paquito-Yanguas could be another solution where Navarro’s experience would make things easier in the decisive clash. All options have their pros and cons, but we won’t know which one Juanjo will choose until then. hypothetical final against Argentina, which Spain is obliged to reach.
