Euro 2008 PREVIEW: Time for Spain?

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Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 16:36

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Spain Often disappointing, Spain will once again among the favourites for the Euro. Will she finally meet the expectations raised by a generation led by Fernando Torres? It is necessary if the “Roja” wants to reconnect with a success that the leaks since 1964.

INFORMATION:

Appearances: 7
Awards: Winner (1964)
FIFA ranking: 4
Qualification: First Group F
Euro 2004: First round (third in Group A)
Head coach: Luis Aragones

PRESENTATION:

44 years that Spain expects it. Since Euro 1964 and his coronation at home facing the USSR (2-1), “Seleccion” has shone on the international scene. A real trauma for a Spanish football often placed winner but always disappointing in major rendez-vous. Output without glory in the first round of Euro 2004, Luis Aragones troops had witnessed a new disillusionment two years ago leaving the 8th stage of the final against France at World Cup 2006. However, Spain will still favorites. For it has players of talent at all positions, particularly in the area where the offensive Fernando Torres, David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Iniesta have few equals in Europe. And optimism is once again de rigueur after a series of 14 consecutive matches without defeat since November 2006, including two victories in prestige friendly face Italy (1-0) and France (1-0). With a young generation in command, Spain will she finally pass a course?

THE PLAYER TO FOLLOW: Fernando Torres

“El nino” became big. This season, Fernando Torres took a new dimension from the Atlético Madrid to Liverpool. The English football, more direct, it is fitting perfectly. The figures speak for themselves: with the Reds, he placed the bagatelle of 33 goals all competitions combined. With such a balance, the attacker knows is eagerly awaited in Switzerland and Austria. Moreover it will have to forget Raul. The only problem, Torres has never experienced the same success and club selection. As proof, he has found the path nets only twice last year and a half national team, bringing his total to 15 goals in 47 matches … But at 24 years, it has everything to explode and be one of the stars of the Euro.

THE 23 PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool), Andrés Palop (FC Seville)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Juanito (Betis Seville), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool), Fernando Navarro (Mallorca), Raul Albiol (Valencia), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal )

Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Ruben De La Red (Getafe), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)

Forwards: David Villa (Valencia), Sergio Garcia (Zaragoza), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Daniel Güiza (Majorca)

PROBABLY FIRST-TEAM:

Goalkeeper: Casillas

Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevilla

Midfielders: Senna, Xavi, Fabregas, Iniesta

Forwards: Torres, Villa

The European Championships will start in 7 june, all matches will be LIVE on SoccerZip.com!

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