In-depth with Alba Torrens: 20 years of love and passion for Spain

One of the most decorated players in Spanish basketball history, the hugely popular Torrens has been reflecting on her amazing FIBA career journey in a special in-depth read.

From debuting at the Olympics as a teenager, to the agony of missing out on London 2012 and then leading her country to a number of historical accomplishments, it's been quite the ride for Torrens.

Thrown in at the deep end in Beijing 2008

Unlike most players who tend to start their senior careers in a continental championship, Torrens was handed a spot at the Beijing Olympics - aged only 18 years old.

Any doubts about her being ready were answered with 18 points on debut against host nation China. And, it's still a tournament that holds a very special place even now.

“I'm grateful because in that moment, it was a dream that came true," smiled Torrens.

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When they say you are going to the Olympics, it's like a mix between dreaming and reality... It was like an explosion of emotions and new things.

"Not just for it being the Olympics, but because I thought I couldn’t even dream about it when I was younger - I always said that I just wanted to be in the senior national team.

"And that first year, to be with the ones that had been my role models like Amaya [Valdemoro], Elisa [Aguilar], Laia [Palau] and Ana [Montanana] was hard to put in words.

"I remember that I was so, so happy. When they say you are going to the Olympics, it's like a mix between dreaming and reality. I was 18 years old having this experience, and I think that you never live it in the same way afterwards. It was like an explosion of emotions and new things.

"And to add that, it was my first year with the team. It was something very, very special and I remembered to just enjoy every part of it."

A first medal and discovering Spanish DNA in 2009

The first trip to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket for Torrens came in Latvia in 2009 when it proved to be an awakening as to exactly what it takes to play for Spain.

While Beijing had been quite the experience, it was the discovery of exactly what it takes to be podium-ready in collecting a bronze medal would prove to be a priceless experience.

She recalled: "I remember we were preparing to fight for the medals and in that moment, I realized the DNA of the Spanish national team. The mentality and how you approach every competition to go and to compete.

"When I stepped to EuroBasket, I really believed that we could go for it. I remember that we lost the Semi-Final and that was tough. But I lived one of the first times in terms of how our team knew how to recover and come back the next day to fight for that bronze.

"It was amazing because it was my first medal with the senior national team and I have good memories of that tournament," said Torrens.

A World Cup medal in 2010

It was in Czechia in 2010 that Torrens finally got to take her FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup bow - and it proved to be a memorable one. She was part of a history-making team that claimed a first ever podium spot for their country.

Torrens came up with her best contribution of the tournament in the Third-Place Game as she put Belarus to the sword with a stellar 19 points.

"Most of all, I remember the Quarter-Finals with Amaya's basket at the end of the time," she smiled.

"And it was a historic moment for the Spanish national team. And I think in that moment being with those veteran players, it made me see the true meaning of the generation that had come before me.

"Because I think that when we got that medal, it was not just the ones who were there in that moment. We thought about everything that had come before us to build what was the first medal for Spain in the World Cup.

"We realized it was the work of so many people in the Federation, the players and the clubs," added Torrens.

"So I think it was a medal for all of Spanish basketball, not just the ones that we were there. It took on more meaning because we had never been there before [on the podium]."

2011: Despair and first-time basketball tears

Heading into FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2011, Torrens and Spain were one of the favorites to be crowned champions. After all, a year earlier they were third in the World Cup.

However, in one of the biggest shocks and disappointments ever for Spain, they didn't just miss the podium, they didn't even make the Quarter-Finals.

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I think in that moment, it was the first time that I really cried because of basketball.... But I look back at all those moments and when you are in the dark, you grow.

If that wasn't bad enough, Spain would also miss out on the London 2012 Olympics and then Torrens also had one of the most serious injuries of her career to rub salt into the wounds.

"I think in that moment, it was the first time that I really cried because of basketball," she admitted.

"I remember being so happy winning medals or losing some games, but I didn't have this feeling of really crying.

"It was one that hit hard because I think we really had a good team and we wanted to compete well. We were coming from a good moment, but it was really, really tough. I think the team went down in that moment.

"For me, personally too, because some months after, I broke my knee. I was hit on the court, and also hit outside the court. So, it was a tricky moment. But I look back at all those moments and when you are in the dark, you grow."

Bouncing back: A first EuroBasket crown in 2013

Torrens was sensational at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2013 as she posted a 30-point display against Russia in an opening day thriller. She then wrapped it up with 21 points in a dramatic and memorable Final against France to celebrate her maiden EuroBasket crown and her country's first in 20 years. She also made the All-Star Five.

"We were hurt because the team did not make the 2012 Olympics," revealed Torrens.

"So, I think it was a mix of this and the ambition to come back. We were so humble because we knew what it meant to win, but now we also knew what it meant to lose. We always remembered that 2011 experience. We came back so focused and ready to compete. Also, with no expectations because we were coming from the bottom.

"And I remember that first game against, Russia. It was so important because it was the first game for us coming to EuroBasket. It was very special in 2013 too, because it was the last championship for Amaya [Valdemoro] and Elisa [Aguilar]. I think for all of us, we took it personal because of this and there were so many emotions there."

"We were so humble and focused, and I think that in the tournament we were a really great team. We really played beautiful basketball as a team. All the players were part of it.

"I don't know how to explain it in words. I cannot. I just can tell you that you felt it from the bottom of my heart how even more special it was to share it. Even now it feels better because of Amaya and Elisa. I think that they both deserved this moment for everything they gave to Spanish basketball. It was amazing."

Women's World Cup history in Istanbul 2014

After a first global medal four years earlier, the challenge for Spain in 2014 was clear, could they go one better? Typically, it was Torrens who answered the question emphatically - claiming an All-Star Five spot to take her country to their first ever FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Final.

"I think that we were so lucky," reflected Torrens.

"We had this mix of young players and veterans. I think that in 2014 we were playing amazing. I really had the feeling we were all comfortable playing together and that we made beautiful basketball."

"Also in some complicated moments, some players stepped up. I remember in the Semi-Final against Turkey, and once again, we didn't stop believing."

Even if they lost as expected to USA in the Final, it was a major and unprecedented step for Spanish basketball.

Losing a crown in 2015 but laying an Olympic ghost to rest

At FIBA Women's Eurobasket 2015 it was supremely bitter-sweet. Torrens and her teammates were left disappointed to miss out on a Final as they had to be satisfied with bronze. But the true target was getting back to the Olympics after failing to qualify four years earlier for London.

She said: "I remember that tournament was so long, I think, 10 games or something like that. It was not easy because we had the pressure to go back to the Olympics, because of the ghost of 2012.

"In the Semi-Finals, we didn't had our best game. But once again, the team recovered to go and win again a medal. I don't think that we can say that it's bad because when you go back and you see how difficult it is to be on the podium each year."

Perfection at Rio 2016 and a favorite medal

Just when you think Spain couldn't do much more on the global stage, they went and served up another slice of history with a first ever Olympic Final and silver medal. It was a dramatic ride at times, but Torrens looks back with so much satisfaction.

"I will tell you, it was perfect - everything," she said.

"Although it was a difficult moment that Sancho [Lyttle] got injured in summer and we felt bad for her. When you are a team and you miss one piece, you are hurt because we wanted her to be in the Olympics.

"But it gave that chance to Astou [Ndour] and we were so happy she came, but we needed to adjust a bit, and I think we played really well and I remember that we had fun on the court and also outside the court.

“And I always say in that moment, I had the best basket of my life. I didn't score it, but when asked, I always say the basket of Anna Cruz in the last second [against Türkiye in the Quarter-Finals], I will never forget that.

"It’s a moment that we all have in our heart, that we always remember with Anna, and it was amazing emotions. It's hard to put it in words. If I ever need to pick one medal, it's that one. Because that Olympics was something else.”

2017? MVP, MVP, MVP

The high of Rio 2016 clearly fueled Torrens into FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2017 when she was on fire throughout the competition. Spain won the title with their MVP the star of the show. Showing her world class game, the shooting guard finished with more than 17 points per game.

“Sancho [Lyttle] came back and we were pretty much the same team, but I think we put good basketball on the floor," recalled Torrens.

“I think it’s unbelievable what we did because you never can take it for granted and we didn't. We had the capacity every year to come back to the beginning, to be humble again, to build and to go for it and compete. It was our best weapon to be a good team.”

A huge World Cup relief in Tenerife 2018

As hosts of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, the pressure and expectations were huge, but Torrens helped her nation and the home fans to treasure a wonderful experience in Tenerife. Spain took their third consecutive podium in the competition and was a big relief for the veteran.

"It was a lot of pressure. I can tell you that we felt it because it's the feeling that you really want to give back. You want to give back all the support, all the attention, all the effort of so many people bringing the World Cup to your home.

"You take the responsibility of wearing this jersey. You take the compromise. You take it personally. You know about everything that is behind it along the way.

“We were so happy with that bronze medal because I thought in that moment it was maybe beyond us. We were so grateful of how the people responded in Tenerife. It was amazing playing there every day. I think it was a good connection between the fans and us. We all enjoyed it together."

Tokyo 2020 and some EuroBasket and World Cup pain

With Tokyo 2020 delayed 12 months, it took place only weeks after Spain had hosted the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 in Valencia. But agonizingly, Torrens was ruled out with COVID ahead of the event in her homeland and Spain crashed. They finished 7th and also missed out on the FIBA Women's World Cup 2022.

However Torrens was quick to put things into perspective at the time.

"Yeah, it was tough for everyone. But I think we looked to the world in this case and saw basketball in a different way because everyone was thinking about the health situation. It was the priority in that moment for society in general - and I think I didn't lose that vision"

Finishing 6th place in Tokyo was a far cry from the Final of 2016, but Torrens confessed the team was not in the best shape - especially in the wake of their FIBA Women's EuroBasket failure and knowing they had lost their 2022 ticket to the World Cup.

She said: "At the Olympics, you want to do well and want to compete. But I don't know if we arrived to Tokyo focused mentality because it was impossible.

"The first group was tough and then in the Quarter-Finals we lost against France. We were just not at our best and France deserved that win."

From skipping Sydney to a reset and silver in 2023

As the other top teams on the planet gathered for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022, Torrens and Spain were licking their wounds. But using their time wisely to re-group, it paid dividends when they made the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Final, with Torrens named to the All-Star Five.

She revealed: "I watched the World Cup [in Sydney]. I think in those moments as a team and as an individual, what you try to do, is to use it to build up and to come back. We had some changes in the team too, but we were ready to play in 2023."

"When you lose a Final, of course you’re hurt because you want to win it. But when the time passes, you look at it differently. It showed after one year of not competing in a big competition [World Cup], we could go back to EuroBasket and win a medal again. I don't know how many national teams could do that.

"We arrived in the Final and couldn't get it, but we competed very close to Belgium. In that moment it hurt, but you have to give value I think to this silver medal," insisted Torrens.

Leaving unfinished business at Paris 2024

Torrens became a four-time Olympian when she took to the floor at Paris 2024. But even if they achieved a respectable fifth place finish, Torrens is adamant that they could have achieved more. And Torrens confessed that counting individual appearances and accomplishments is not something she gets hung up on.

"It was tough to lose that game in the Quarter-Finals, the way that we lost [against Belgium] because I think that we finished with the feeling that we could have done a little more. But I mean, at the same time, you have got to give value to being in an Olympics again.

"We had the chance to compete again in a big scenario. And it's true that we were not happy with the final result because we wanted more. But I think that from that, we learned some things.

"But for me, I was grateful. I think that every athlete will tell you the Olympics is different. It's something else that goes beyond your sport. It goes beyond any competition. It's special and I had the chance to live another Olympics, so I was so grateful."

2025: A cruel end, but still bursting with pride

What happened at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 was jaw-dropping. Spain snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Belgium in Final for the ages - one of the best games of the modern era.

Yet despite an agonizing ending, Torrens, who made another All-Star Five, still holds the silver medal in the highest regard.

"I am so proud because we won that silver with the heart of that team. We went beyond expectations," she said.

"When we had the injuries, I think the trust in the team from the outside started to be a little tricky. There were so many players that were playing their first EuroBasket. We were a team with some of us who hadn’t really played together at all.

"We proved last year that when you are a real team, when all the pieces are together for the common goal, you can still make big things. We went beyond the expectations of others. I think we went beyond our own expectations."

"It was a cruel end for us because I think that we were there touching the gold. But when what happened occurred, I looked into my teammate's eyes, and we couldn't be prouder of each other. In that moment we supported each other like crazy. There were no regrets and we were a team at every moment, and at that moment too."

She continued: "That silver for me is something very special. I think it would be unfair because of those last moments of that Final to not give it the value that this team of 2025 deserve. All of us went beyond ourselves to bring it to the team, to put everything into the team. I really have a special love for what we built.”

2026?

The last question is whether Spain will write another famous chapter in Berlin and perhaps add yet another medal to an already astonishing Torrens resume.

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