This time Spain convinces, after the draw with Greece and the last minute victory against Georgia. In Seville the Red Furies win 3-1 against Kosovo: mark with Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, suffer a timid return of the opponents and close with Moreno. But it was an important match beyond football. It was in fact a particular race because the Madrid government does not recognize Kosovo as a nation.
Diplomatic tensions
Kosovar self-determination and independence continues to be a point of diplomatic tension for some countries of the European Union, including Spain. For this reason the public broadcaster TVE he tried to manage the situation in the best possible way and to avoid reference to Kosovo but, at the same time, to talk about the match, he used the expression «Kosovo football federation». Not only. In the television graphics the name was inserted with the initial letter in lowercase and at the time of the anthem of the opponents, Spanish television did not broadcast that precise moment. It should be remembered that Kosovo is a member of FIFA and has been able to play official competitions since 2016. For now he has participated in the qualifying phase for the 2018 World Cup and those for the 2020 European Championships without qualifying for both tournaments. It declared itself an independent state in 2008. It had received US support and the Americans have one of their most important bases in Europe about 40 kilometers south of Pristina, the capital.
Luis Enrique
But that of Wednesday will also be remembered by the Spaniards as the match in which he risked not having he Ct Luis Enrique on the bench and not for illness or disqualification. Like a mere mortal, he was stuck in the hotel elevator for over an hour. His staff also went to the stadium “we have a plan to make up for this type of emergency” but in the end the starting coach managed to arrive on time.
April 1, 2021 (change April 1, 2021 | 09:41)
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