Spain: Looking ahead of the Euro

Spain will play to defend their European Championship title after their historical triumph four years ago in Vienna.  La Furia Roja currently enjoy their reign as European and world champions.  Their mission?  To hold on to their first place ranking as long as possible.  They are a part of Group C, which also includes 2006 FIFA World Cup winners Italy, who they will face first within the competition.  Spain will also face Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.

Spain boss man Vicente del Bosque is convinced that his men are ready and are in top shape for their match against Italy.  He expressed to the press that he has already decided on his Starting XI for his nation's Euro opening fixture.  "We are well.  We are ready to start the competition," stated Del Bosque, "We haven't noticed that we are at the end of the season.  We arrive at a good moment.  We are looking forward of seeing what happens on the field."

He had the following to say about upcoming opponent Italy:

"Italy have changed, whether you look at their players or the ideas of their coach, and it will be a very hotly contested match.

"We will try to take the initiative, but it won't be easy.  Not too long ago, they beat us in Bari, and because of this we have to play the match with everything that we've got."

And give everything that they've got they [La Roja] will.  As current European and world champions?  I expect nothing less of these men.  Nothing like a little pressure on the  world stage to get the blood flowing, especially when two key players – David Villa and Carles Puyol – are ruled out of the competition due to injury.

Spain last faced Italy August of last year in a friendly, losing 2-1.  However, the loss in Bari hardly fazes me as a lot has happened in the time between.  La Roja has a rather impressive record, having won an impressive 41 matches out of their last 45, 14 of them consecutively.  VAMOS!

written by Gail Hidalgo