Atlético Femenino update: Champions again!

Atlético Femenino are Spanish champions again.

The Colchoneros have defended their league title successfully after they secured a 3-1 win at Real Sociedad on the final day of the season.

The league would have still stayed in Madrid even if José Luis Sánchez’s clan failed to pick points, as second-place Barcelona were surprisingly defeated by Granadilla.

With stalwart Jenni Hermoso on the bench, Esther González took centre-stage as she netted a hat-trick to propel Atlético to a tranquil afternoon and wild celebrations after the game.

Atleti’s ladies are back in action on Saturday as they face Real Sociedad again in the Copa De La Reina final, where they will aim to clinch a famous domestic double.

Meanwhile, here are some key numbers from this season’s league campaign, which saw Atleti ring up a 28-0-2 record:

Goals/assists:

• Jenni Hermoso (24 goals, 7 assists)
• Angela Sosa (10 goals, 16 assists)
• Esther Gonzalez (13 goals, 6 assists)
• Olga Garcia (12 goals, 5 assists)
• Ludmila (11 goals, 6 assists)

Academy player appearances:

• Anita Marcos (8 games — 109 minutes, 12 call-ups)
• Rosa Otermin (3 games — 70 minutes, 5 call-ups)
• Sonia Majarin (1 call-up)

Meseguer renews

In another bit of good news, midfielder Silvia Meseguer extended her contract for another three years.

At 30 years old, Meseguer is at her prime of her career and wants the Colchoneros to benefit from her best years.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the Spaniard said that the past six seasons in the team have been exciting and she wants to continue her story with the club.

“At Atleti, I have developed into a mature person, on and off the field,” she said.

Meseguer started her career at Prainsa Zaragoza before she headed to Espanyol, where she played for five years. She’s made over 100 appearances for the club since her arrival.

Her notable talent had drawn attention from all the big clubs, but it was Atlético that claimed her signature.

She is also one of the players to have made over 100 appearances for the club as well.

“Atleti loves Hermoso”

Jenni Hermoso started on the bench against Real Sociedad. The Spanish international will see out her contract next June, and she has been linked with a return to Barcelona.

After the match, coach Sánchez was asked about Hermoso’s future.

“Nobody said she is going to leave,” he replied.

“(Jenni) Hermoso will do what she wants — Atleti loves her.

“She is a top player and she has given us everything she has in her repertoire.”

Landmark changes

One of the teams continuing to evolve in the women’s game is Espanyol, as the Catalunya-based side have announced their female players will receive a minimum salary on an inter-professional salary from next season.

Moreover, the club also announced that they will open their RCDE Stadium for two women’s games in the next campaign after a record crowd turned out for the match against Atlético in their latest home game.

It was the fifth-best attendance figure of the season in Spain’s top-flight.

World Cup preparation

Meanwhile, as the Women’s World Cup is less than a month away, Spain have arranged a friendly as part of their final tuneup prior to their France expedition.

La Roja will face Japan on June 2, six days prior to their competition debut. Jorge Vilda’s team will play the Asian heavyweights at noon local time, in order for the match to be broadcasted in Japan.