Paquito after the World Cup loss: ”It's tough to make a post now"

It was a thrilling battle down to the final set tiebreak in the World Championship final between Spain and Argentina. In the end, it was Argentina who emerged victorious, securing the gold for the second year in a row. After a hard-fought match, a disappointed Paquito Navarro was quick to share his thoughts on social media.

The decisive match featured Spain’s Mike Yanguas and Paquito Navarro against Argentina’s Tino Libaak and Leandro Augsburger. It was a tightly contested match; Yanguas and Navarro claimed the first set 6-3, but Argentina responded strongly, evening the score by winning the second set 7-5.

A third set was ultimately needed to settle the World Championship final. Spain gained an important break, but Argentina leveled to 4-4. With Argentina leading 5-4, Augsburger suffered from cramps, making it difficult for him to continue. Despite the setback, he fought on, delivering an impressive performance that led Argentina to victory in the tiebreak, securing the World Championship gold.

After the match, the Spanish team was deeply disappointed to lose such a close match, which after nearly seven hours of play, was decided by just a few points. One of Spain’s leading players, Paquito Navarro, shared his thoughts and feelings on Instagram after the loss:

“It’s hard to make a post when you’re hurting like this... hardly any of us usually do it, since showing vulnerability doesn’t quite fit with what we do... but I feel I have to. Maybe it helps to let out and express the sadness I feel right now. I also feel I need to stand up for my country.

The sport, which has given me everything and which I thank every day for allowing me to play, can sometimes show the other side of the coin.

Sometimes it has given me everything and some of the happiest days of my life, and other times it hands you the bitterest lemon to taste. Today, I am deeply saddened. I wanted to secure my point and see Spain crowned world champions. A small joy in these difficult times we are going through on the east coast. I apologize to my country; honestly, I am completely shattered… my only small comfort (besides going home to kiss my wife and child) is that I gave it my all. I’m sure I could have played better and done many things to turn the match in our favor, but at least I feel that I gave everything I had today. @mikeyanguas, I know you feel the same. You gave it your all, and I’m confident that life will grant you another chance in the future.

Congratulations to our Argentinian brothers, enjoy the moment and celebrate as you deserve… but know that Spain will be back, with or, most likely, without me, to seek the world title again and again. We will rise. Thank you to all my teammates for this week. We have been like a family.

A big congratulations also to the women’s national team. We are very proud.

Warm hugs to you all.”