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Spain's trophy quest continues
Spain may have needed to win a play-off against Norway to
reach the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals, but there is little
doubt that they boast a squad as talented as any other.
Array of talent
From the choice of Iker Casillas and Santiago Cañizares
in goal, to the likes of Carles Puyol and Michael Salgado
in defence, midfield players Xabi Alonso and Rubén
Baraja and forwards Raúl González and Juan Carlos
Valerón, coach Iñaki Sáez has an array
envied by virtually all of his counterparts - shown as much
as anything by the quality individuals that are only on the
verge of his first-choice party.
Wide experience
Unsurprisingly, the spine of the 4-4-2 formation is made up
of players with wide Primera División and UEFA Champions
League experience. Raúl, Spain's all-time leading scorer,
leads the line, supported by Valerón's incisive creativity,
although youngsters Fernando Torres and José Antonio
Reyes have both begun to break into the lineup.
Midfield selection
Baraja is the key man in the centre of midfield, as for Valencia
CF, helped by club-mate David Albelda or playmaker Alonso.
On the wings, Vicente Rodríguez is the first choice
on the left while Joseba Etxeberría or Joaquín
Sánchez usually fills the right-sided role. Certainly,
the likes of Raúl and Torres provide excellent targets
for their high crosses.
Defensive choice
In defence, Sáez has tried out several central partnerships.
Puyol and Iván Helguera have emerged as a useful choice,
though Carlos Marchena has proved more than capable. Salgado's
combination of tough defending and forays down the flank have
made his a clear a choice at right-back as he is for Real
Madrid CF, while his club-mate Raúl Bravo is being
groomed for the left-sided role, though Juanito is another
choice with Puyol having switched to the middle.
Strength at the back
Casillas remains the first-choice goalkeeper, his acrobatic
shot-stopping keeping him ahead of the huge and experienced
Cañizares. Indeed, Spain's strength at the back explains
why they conceded just four goals in Group 6 and scored 16
- twice the number managed by automatic qualifiers Greece.
Flying start
Indeed, for much of the campaign, Spain seemed the outstanding
team in the group. Their 2-0 win in Greece in Sáez's
first competitive game in charge was a comprehensive victory,
and only a last-gasp equaliser for Ukraine in Kiev denied
them a perfect record from their first four fixtures.
June setback
However, a 1-0 home defeat by Greece in June followed by a
0-0 draw in Northern Ireland saw Otto Rehhagel's team pip
Sáez's selection to first place, forcing a play-off
with Norway.
Norway beaten
But Spain found their true form in the play-offs. While in
the first-leg in Valencia they needed a Henning Berg own goal
to scrape a 2-1 win, they were by far the better side, and
underlined it with a comfortable 3-0 victory in Oslo.
Proud record
So Spain can now go all out to land their first major honour
for 40 years, when they won the UEFA European Championship
on home soil. Having only twice failed to reach the last eight
in continental competition, Spain are out to continue that
proud record – as well as finally landing the trophy
their talent deserves. At least they do not have far to travel.
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