SQUAD PROFILE: Spain

[bluejock]

Manager - Vincente del Bosque

Squad

Goalkeepers - Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF), Víctor Valdés (FC Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool FC)

Defenders - Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF), Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia CF), Ã￾lvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid CF), Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid CF), Juanfran (Club Atlético de Madrid), Javi Martínez (Athletic Club)

Midfielders - Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid CF), David Silva (Manchester City FC), Santi Cazorla (Málaga CF), Jesús Navas (Sevilla FC), Cesc Fàbregas (FC Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona)

Forwards - Fernando Llorente (Athletic Club), Juan Mata (Chelsea FC), Fernando Torres (Chelsea FC), Pedro Rodríguez (FC Barcelona), Ã￾lvaro Negredo (Sevilla FC)

Reigning champions Spain round off Group C, and what a delightful way to round it off. The dominant force in world football since winning this tournament 4 years ago in the Axis of Alps, Austria and Switzerland. Spain won their qualifying group at a canter, despite being comprehensively outplayed twice by Scotland. They didn't drop a point and only conceded 6 goals, compared to the 20 they scored themselves.

This year's squad has two notable absentees. Main goal threat David Villa and club team mate Carlos Puyol will spend the summer eating paella at home and throwing seafood at the tv as both miss out through injury. Defensive responsibility will fall upon the ridiculously handsome shoulders of Gerard Pique(100,000 a week at Barca AND he's nailing Shakira, the swine) whilst there's plenty of flair in midfield with Xavi, Iniesta, Sevilla's Jesus Navas and Man City's David Silva all capable of scintillating football. Busquets is a massive tit though. Up front, Fernando Torres will be hoping that lightning strikes twice as he was the man who notched the winner in '08. Still no place for Mikel Arteta, so maybe it wasn't playing for Everton stopping him from being called up, and just the ridiculous number off world class midfielders Spain have at their disposal.

Jock's man to watch is Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao. After impressing many of Europe's top clubs this season in Bilbao's run to the Europa League final, including many armchair pundits/lazy bastards like me watching at home, Llorente is likely to get the nod as chief goal getter this summer, and to compensate for the lack of David Villa is a huge task indeed. Is he up to it? Wait and see.

Prediction

Spain should win their group, maybe even with a 100% record, which would set up a likely quarter final with England, which most would probably expect them to win. (Please don't ban me Mick, I'll do a nice England preview I promise ffs) however I can't see their dominance extend to a third tournament in a row. I have them to beat Holland in the semis and lose to Germany in the final. Sorry Jamo x

 

[Hibbosculturedrightboot]

It was '08 Torres bagged the winner.

A poor man's Chico and factually inaccurate. Tsk, Jock, tsk.

 

[ijjysmith]

No Soldado for them?

Idiots.

I both love and hate Spain at the same time.

 

[bluejock]

It was '08 Torres bagged the winner.

A poor man's Chico and factually inaccurate. Tsk, Jock, tsk.

Oh ffs, you know what I meant!

*slits wrists

Edit: It's fixed now, and the format is proven to be GOT-friendly so I'm not going to tamper with it.

 

[Elong]

My pick to win. Lots of competition this year, but I think they have the class and experience.

 

[Alio]

No Soldado for them?

Idiots.

I both love and hate Spain at the same time.

Oh yeah, Bosque obviously voted for Pedro. Soldado is a goal machine!! Don't seem them winning it this year

 

[chicoazul]

Spain won their qualifying group at a canter, despite being comprehensively outplayed twice by Scotland.

Is right.

They're also the adopted team of the kopites, although that might change to Norn Ireland now.

 

[Neiler]

Not getting out of their group!

Smash em.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Manager - Vincente del Bosque

Squad

Goalkeepers - Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF), Víctor Valdés (FC Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool FC)

Defenders - Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF), Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia CF), Ã￾lvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid CF), Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid CF), Juanfran (Club Atlético de Madrid), Javi Martínez (Athletic Club)

Midfielders - Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid CF), David Silva (Manchester City FC), Santi Cazorla (Málaga CF), Jesús Navas (Sevilla FC), Cesc Fàbregas (FC Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona)

Forwards - Fernando Llorente (Athletic Club), Juan Mata (Chelsea FC), Fernando Torres (Chelsea FC), Pedro Rodríguez (FC Barcelona), Ã￾lvaro Negredo (Sevilla FC)

Reigning champions Spain round off Group C, and what a delightful way to round it off. The dominant force in world football since winning this tournament 4 years ago in the Axis of Alps, Austria and Switzerland. Spain won their qualifying group at a canter, despite being comprehensively outplayed twice by Scotland. They didn't drop a point and only conceded 6 goals, compared to the 20 they scored themselves.

This year's squad has two notable absentees. Main goal threat David Villa and club team mate Carlos Puyol will spend the summer eating paella at home and throwing seafood at the tv as both miss out through injury. Defensive responsibility will fall upon the ridiculously handsome shoulders of Gerard Pique(100,000 a week at Barca AND he's nailing Shakira, the swine) whilst there's plenty of flair in midfield with Xavi, Iniesta, Sevilla's Jesus Navas and Man City's David Silva all capable of scintillating football. Busquets is a massive tit though. Up front, Fernando Torres will be hoping that lightning strikes twice as he was the man who notched the winner in '08. Still no place for Mikel Arteta, so maybe it wasn't playing for Everton stopping him from being called up, and just the ridiculous number off world class midfielders Spain have at their disposal.

Jock's man to watch is Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao. After impressing many of Europe's top clubs this season in Bilbao's run to the Europa League final, including many armchair pundits/lazy bastards like me watching at home, Llorente is likely to get the nod as chief goal getter this summer, and to compensate for the lack of David Villa is a huge task indeed. Is he up to it? Wait and see.

Prediction

Spain should win their group, maybe even with a 100% record, which would set up a likely quarter final with England, which most would probably expect them to win. (Please don't ban me Mick, I'll do a nice England preview I promise ffs) however I can't see their dominance extend to a third tournament in a row. I have them to beat Holland in the semis and lose to Germany in the final. Sorry Jamo x

You haven't been paying attention. I'm hoping for a German or Italian win. I hope the Spanish get spanked

 

[The Equaliser]

"I can't see their dominance extend to a third tournament in a row."

Me neither. They've broken their hoodoo and won't be same. Remember France in 2002 as reigning World and European champions ?

It should still be enjoyable to watch them though.

 

[The Equaliser]

Is right.

They're also the adopted team of the kopites, although that might change to Norn Ireland now.

I'd love that. Praying here.

 

[The T-Dex]

Having to like them cos of the Euro Sweep is a pish take but they now have my full support.

Viva España.

 

[Alio]

You're going down Ladz.

 

[The T-Dex]

Look good Dr. I have no beef with you, but carry on with this and me and cheebes are getting you alright?

 

[Alio]

Look good Dr. I have no beef with you, but carry on with this and me and cheebes are getting you alright?

Ahh, well played there Dex. I ent got no beefs with you and the Cheebes

What's your Spanish GOT team? ijjyio and I have updated the Italy and Croatia threads, you need to up your game in here.