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Last Sunday afternoon at a hotel in Vilnius, Carlos Ortiz and Ricardinho sat down at a table together and had a coffee. A long-awaited meeting of friends took place. "We will meet in Vilnius for a coffee and chat for a while," revealed Spanish national team captain C. Ortiz in an interview with FIFA.com. "I will tell him not to relax, because in important matches he always surprises with something. I hope he didn't save anything for this time (laughs - author's note)." Tonight, laughter and friendship will come to an end - in the Pyrenees derby, C. Ortiz will lead Spain against Ricardinho's Portugal. The players who have spent eight seasons together in clubs (seven with Madrid's "Inter Movistar" in Spain and one with Paris' "ACCS" in France) will be opponents on the court as captains of their national teams. The last time this happened was at the 2018 European Championship - the Portuguese emerged victorious. Ricardinho and company finally defeated the Spaniards in official matches, and they did it not just anywhere, but in the final. The Portuguese secured their first important title. "They were better throughout the tournament, almost played all the games perfectly, came well prepared physically," admitted C. Ortiz in an interview with FIFA.com and said he doesn't think about revenge. "If we were thinking about revenge, imagine what they would have to think, knowing how many times we defeated them." Until the 2018 final, the Spaniards had always beaten the Portuguese in all competitions. However, C. Ortiz told his friend Ricardinho that the Portuguese were better that time. "They deserved it because of their consistency and fighting spirit," said the Spaniard. But now a new chapter in their rivalry will be opened - Spain and Portugal will face each other in a match for a place in the World Championship semifinals. Carlos Ortiz feels confident. A great first half against the Czech Republic is a good sign for the quarterfinals. "Our game is improving. In the group stage, we did what we had to do, although not as well as we can. But in the quarterfinal match against the Czechs, we saw Spain in the way we want to be: playing intensely, aggressively, and sharp in attack. We took a step forward," said C. Ortiz, who will wear FC Barcelona socks after the championship in Lithuania. The defender (el cierre in futsal) is participating in the World Championship for the fourth time and understands that this is probably his last chance to win trophies. In 2008 and 2012, he stumbled in the finals with the Spaniards. "In a way, this is the most special World Championship. It is the last chance for me to become a world champion. I enjoy every day here with pleasure," said the 37-year-old Ortiz. "There are many players here for whom this could be the last tournament, although maybe they haven't thought about it yet. We must give our maximum effort in every game and every training session, because we have a chance to win the title." Before the World Championship, C. Ortiz played his 200th match representing the Spanish national team in friendly matches. It is an achievement that few can boast about in the world. Asked about the main change since he made his debut for the national team in 2006, he answered simply. "Temperament. I used to be more nervous, more passionate, more anarchic. Now, with experience and the number of matches, came tranquility, wisdom, I think about many things," he said. Spain will need this tranquility from the quarterfinals onwards. "All the remaining teams can become champions," said C. Ortiz. "There is not a big difference between the teams, all have taken a step forward, there are no longer opponents that can be easily defeated. The quarterfinals will be amazing." When asked about the factors that could be decisive, the Spanish captain replied: "Who will make fewer mistakes and play better in defense. It is very important that all players are healthy. This can be a key factor in the World Championship. Now everyone's chances are equal." Although C. Ortiz is not flying high in the clouds, he envisions himself lifting the champions' trophy on October 3rd in Kaunas, on his 38th birthday. "It would be the cherry on top after all the years in the national team, important competitions, four World Championships... A perfect culmination. It would be a tribute to my family, coach Venancio Lopez, with whom I spent the most time, former teammates who had the same dream and did not achieve it."
