How Spain could form their line-up – chance for a surprise

Spain has announced its squad for the upcoming Padel World Championship in Qatar, sparking discussions about players who were not selected and how the team will be structured. Here are some possible lineup options for both the men's and women's teams.

Men's Team:

Arturo Coello
Alejandro Galan
Juan Lebron
Francisco Navarro
Alejandro Ruiz
Coki Nieto
Miguel Yanguas
Jon Sanz

The biggest talking points have been the absence of Javi Garrido, Momo Gonzalez, Pablo Cardona, and Edu Alonso. The coach has instead chosen to focus on the pair Nieto / Sanz and brought Alex Ruiz.

The main question now is how Spain will form its men's lineup. Here are three potential setups that could give the team the best chances, based on the coach's statement: “Juan will be playing backhand for the national team.”

Option 1:

• Galan and Sanz
• Coello and Lebron
• Yanguas and Navarro

Galan and Sanz played together last year and could form a solid first pair. Coello and Lebron would make an exciting second pair, while Yanguas and Navarro, who have only played a few tournaments together, could serve as the third pair. 

Option 2:

• Galan and Yanguas
• Lebron and Coello
• Sanz and Nieto

This option keeps the experienced pair Sanz and Nieto together, who have played over a year on the world tour. Galan could partner with Yanguas, while Lebron and Coello would form a new pairing. There is also room for Paquito Navarro to step in as the third pair.

Option 3:

• Galan and Coello
• Lebron and Ruiz
• Sanz and Nieto

This scenario is less likely but sees the coach's trust in Alex Ruiz paying off, as he would step into the lineup with Lebron. If the coach decides to keep Lebron on the forehand side, we might see:

• Coello and Galan
• Lebron and Navarro
• Sanz and Nieto

Spain is expected to reach the final, likely facing Argentina. Until then, the team can experiment with different formations, possibly surprising their rivals with an unexpected lineup in the final.

Women’s Team:

Alejandra Salazar
Gemma Triay
Ariana Sánchez
Paula Josemaría
Beatriz González
Marta Ortega
Claudia Fernandez
Jessica Castelló

On the women's side, Spain is the overwhelming favorite and has most of the world's best players. Here are some possible line-ups that the coach can use to secure the gold.

Option 1:

• Sánchez/Josemaría
• Triay/Fernandez
• González/Ortega

In this setup, the coach keeps the world No. 1 pairing together, as they’ve had a strong season. The second pair, Triay and Fernandez, have been playing together since early this year, winning several titles. The third pair would consist of Bea González and Marta Ortega.

Option 2:

• Sánchez/Josemaría
• Triay/Fernandez
• Salazar/Castelló

The first two pairings seem secure, but González’s injury opens up the possibility for Salazar and Castelló to form the third pair. They’ve been playing together since September, reaching good results, including a semifinal in Paris.

Option 3:

• Sánchez/Josemaría
• Triay/Salazar
• González/Fernandez

This option would be a surprise. Triay and Salazar were highly successful on the world tour before splitting in 2023. A reunion could be on the cards, with González and Fernandez forming a new pairing.

Regardless of the lineup, Spain’s women’s team is heavily favored to win the gold.