The Spanish women’s water polo team was honored with the MARCA Award for Best Team of the Year 2024.

This prestigious award, presented during the MARCA Female Sports Awards gala at the Hipódromo de La Zarzuela in Madrid, recognized the team’s extraordinary achievements throughout the year, including their Olympic gold medal victory in Paris.

MARCA, one of Spain’s most renowned sports newspapers, has a long-standing tradition of acknowledging excellence across various sports disciplines. With notable former winners such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the MARCA Awards celebrate the best of the best in Spanish and global sports. This year, the Spanish women’s water polo team was an easy choice, given their remarkable performance throughout the year.

The Spanish women’s team has had a historic year, capped by their first Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024. This monumental victory came after years of close finishes and hard work, including two Silver medals (2012 & 2020)

In addition to their Olympic triumph, the team also secured a silver medal at the European Championships in January in Eindhoven and a bronze medal at the World Championships in Doha in February.

Martina Terré and Nona Pérez, representing the national team, received the award from Alejandro Blanco, the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee. Both athletes expressed their gratitude and pride, recalling how the team set their sights on Olympic gold in Paris. “The gold was a goal the team had set for Paris, and the older players kept reminding us it was time for this title,” they said, highlighting the inspirational leadership of their veteran teammates.

Under the leadership of head coach Miki Oca, the combination of experienced leadership and rising young talent has been a hallmark of Spain’s success. Both Martina and Nona (both of CN Sant Andreu) acknowledged the guidance from the more seasoned players, which helped motivate the younger athletes to perform at their best in each competition.

The ceremony, which also celebrated achievements in other sports like football, athletics, handball, and sailing, was a testament to the growing recognition of women’s sports in Spain. The award is not only a reflection of the Spanish water polo team’s success but also of the increasing visibility and celebration of female athletes across all sports.