"We are winning on our own merits"

Spain defender Marc Cucurella said that “nothing is a coincidence” after Spain's penalty shootout victory that extends their unbeaten streak to 23 official matches and noted that the team never gives up.

“We are always together, we always run for each other, we are a great team. We have had to suffer a little more than we expected, but in the end we are once again in a final four. I think that everything we are doing is not being easy, we are winning on our own merits and it's time to enjoy it,” he told reporters.

After qualifying for the Nations League Final Four with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory in Sunday's quarterfinal second leg against the Netherlands at Mestalla, Cucurella admitted that perhaps they should have managed the lead better during the match, which ended 3-3.

“We conceded two somewhat easy goals that can be avoided. It's a game of mistakes and today we had to suffer. The good thing is that in the face of tough moments the team was still there and in the end we were able to hold on to win,” he stressed.

About the opponent in the semifinals, which will be France, he warned that it will be tough: “I think both were difficult (Croatia or France). It will be a tough game, we will try to do our best and hopefully we can enjoy a final.