It was some day for Emilly. If rocketing home a wonder goal and helping Brazil become the first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ wasn’t enough, she was also bestowed with the competition’s adidas Golden Ball and adidas Golden Boot.
“The emotions are overwhelming,” Emilly told FIFA. “It’s sensational, fantastic. Generations have dreamed of this: becoming the first champions of this competition. We’ve got to achieve it. It’s difficult to put my joy into words.
“There are girls who left home young, who have spent 10, 15 years away from home to fight for this dream. I had to leave home early, make sacrifices. Now I’m realising my biggest dream. I don’t think the magnitude of it has sunk in. It’s unbelievable. I want to thank God because without Him, none of this would be possible.
“I’m overjoyed with the collective victory, but obviously scoring a goal in a World Cup final is a unique experience. I can’t believe I’ve got this Golden Ball as well. I believe God gave it me, and that my team-mates helped me win it 200 per cent.”
One of those team-mates was Amandinha, the record eight-time Best Women’s Player, who netted a delicious dink at PhilSports Arena.
“I’m so happy for Amandinha,” said Emilly. “After everything she’s achieved and done for the sport, for other players, she thoroughly deserves this. She’s a role model and an extraordinary player. She enriches futsal. Thank God she’s Brazilian.”
Amandinha said: “This is without doubt the best moment of my career. It’s indescribable. I’m so emotional, so happy.
“We have spent very intense days together – days that are etched in our hearts and in our history – stepping on to courts, hearing our names called, seeing a packed arena, all the infrastructure. We really were living our dream.
“We also made sacrifices. We went through difficult moments, we were nervous, but it was all worth it. Thank God we got to be the first winners of the FIFA Futsal Women ’s World Cup.”
Taty, who nullified Lidia Moreira and Janice Silva in the decider and was duly named Player of the Match, had the honour of lifting the trophy.
“I dreamed of that moment, imagined it, visualised it countless times, but when it happened it felt like I still wasn’t ready,” she explained. “I was flooded with emotions.
“The other teams deserve congratulations for the beautiful World Cup they put on. But I am very, very happy to become a world champion.
“We spoke in the dressing room before the game. I always say to the girls, it doesn’t matter how we win – playing well, playing poorly – but just that we win. It’s about winning vibes. Things can go wrong on the court, but if you have that victorious spirit, you’ll always come away with the win.”
Taty also singled out Emilly for special praise.
“Emilly is from another planet,” said the Brazil captain. “I’m blessed to be surrounded by Emilly, Amandinha, Debora [Vanin] and all these excellent players. They’re magnificent at what they do. It makes my life easy. They’re the best players in the world and they’re extraordinary people.”
