Mariano Rajoy receives women's national basketball team, European champions

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

In a brief speech to the members and coaching staff of the team, Mariano Rajoy thanked them "as the President of the Government, and above all, as a Spanish citizen" for their victory in the final of the European Championships. "You have made many people happy without asking for anything in return".

"This is an event in which I am absolutely convinced that the vast majority of Spanish people feel very well represented", claimed the President of the Government, for whom the national team is an example of the dedication and sacrifice that lies behind the medals. "This is a good message for people: you have to work and make an effort and, in the end, you are the fruit of this hard work and effort", he said.

Mariano Rajoy, who received the goal medal from the team captain, Laia Palau, asked her to stay on until the World Championships in 2018, which will be held in the month of September in Spain. The President of the Government trusted that the "wonderful results" obtained in recent championships by the team, which in addition to winning the European championships three times, is the Olympic and World Championships runner-up, will continue into next year.