EURO Dreams – Spain

Euro 2012 kicked off on 8th June, 2012 with Ukraine and Poland, the hosts. Some heavyweights from all over Europe are competing in the tournament to prove, who the best in Europe is. Spain, Germany and Netherlands were tipped as the favorites to win the tournaments. Spain is the reigning European and World champions, winning EURO 2008 (beating Germany 1-0 in the final) and the World Cup in 2010 (beating Netherlands 1-0 in the final). No team has ever won three major international tournaments in a row, and if Spain achieves this feat, they will be considered one of the best teams in history of international football.

Spain has numerous world class players who have enjoyed success at international and club level in recent years. Pique, Xavi Hernandez, Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez, and David Villa are some players who have won major tournaments with FC Barcelona at club level and Spain at international level. These players have won the UEFA Champions League twice, Spanish La Liga thrice, Copa Del Rey and the FIFA World Cup in past four years. Most of them even played in EURO 2008 and enjoyed success even then. So they have plenty of experience and huger for success.

Spain is facing some injury concerns though, as star striker David Villa and central defender Carles Puyol are missing through injury and they have been ruled out of the tournament. Fernando Torres has been criticized for his poor form at club level as he has scored only few times for Chelsea FC in the last one and a half year, following his 50 million pound move from Liverpool FC and he still has a point to prove. Due to these difficulties, Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque has named some new faces in his squad for the tournament. Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Jordi Alba, Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente are some players wo are relatively inexperienced at international level.

But still, Spain is one of the favorites to lift the trophy considering the domestic and international success, the players have enjoyed in recent years.
Following is the list of players in Spanish squad:
Goal Keepers: Iker CASILLAS, Victor VALDES, Pepe REINA
Defenders: Raul ALBIOL, Gerard PIQUE, Javi MARTINEZ, JUANFRAN, Sergio RAMOS, Alvaro ARBELOA, Jordi ALBA
Midfielders: Andres INIESTA, XAVI, Cesc FABREGAS, Xabi ALONSO, Sergio BUSQUETS, Santi CAZORLA, David SILVA, Jesus NAVAS
Forwards: Fernando TORRES, Alvaro NEGREDO, PEDRO Rodriguez, Juan MATA, Fernando LLORENTE