Spain Euro 2008 Squad

Luis Aragones leads his men into the Finals looking to end 44 years of hurt, and on paper the Spanish team is certainly one to be feared. The departing manager has put together a fine side who improved steadily as qualification for the Euros progressed, winning eight of their last nine games to book their place in Austria and Switzerland with a game to spare.

Impressive friendly victories over France and Italy illustrated Spain’s defensive strength, built largely on the talents of Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Carlos Puyol and Sergio Ramos at the back. Spain have arguably three of the finest creative midfielders around in Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, while Fernando Torres and David Villa will look to provide the thrust that brought six goals between them at the 2006 World Cup.

Yet Spain have often flattered to deceive on the big stage, with their home victory in the 1964 European Championship their only trophy of note. That 2-1 win over the Soviet Union in Madrid under Jose Villalonga was the last time Spain made an impact on the international stage for 20 years, when they finished runners-up to France at Euro ’84. They have since coupled impressive qualifying campaigns with lacklustre displays at the Finals, with the 3-1 second-round defeat to France at the 2006 World Cup typical of their disappointing campaigns.

But with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres, Spain will feel they have a real chance this year. The England-based duo have had fine seasons and will provide a real cutting edge. Fabregas has been at the heart of an Arsenal side that swept all before them in the early stages of the season, and the PFA (Professional Footballer’s Association) Young Player of the Year will provide the ammunition for Torres. Rarely in need of a second invitation to score, Torres is the complete striker, combining blistering pace, agility and aerial ability with an unerring knack of finding the bottom corner. With those two in harness, it is easy to see why Spain are many pundits’ tips for the title.

Spain Euro 2008 Squad

Head coach: Luis Aragonés

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club 1 GK Iker Casillas 20 May 1981 (27) 75 0 Real Madrid 2 DF Raúl Albiol 4 September 1985 (22) 2 0 Valencia 3 DF Fernando Navarro 25 June 1982 (25) 0 0 Real Mallorca 4 DF Carlos Marchena 31 July 1979 (28) 28 1 Valencia 5 DF Carles Puyol 13 April 1978 (30) 58 1 Barcelona 6 MF Andrés Iniesta 11 May 1984 (24) 22 4 Barcelona 7 FW David Villa 3 December 1981 (26) 30 13 Valencia 8 MF Xavi 25 January 1980 (28) 55 6 Barcelona 9 FW Fernando Torres 20 March 1984 (24) 46 15 Liverpool 10 MF Cesc Fàbregas 4 May 1987 (21) 23 0 Arsenal 11 DF Joan Capdevila 3 February 1978 (30) 14 2 Villarreal 12 MF Santi Cazorla 13 December 1984 (23) 0 0 Villarreal 13 GK Andrés Palop 22 October 1973 (34) 0 0 Sevilla 14 MF Xabi Alonso 25 November 1981 (26) 40 1 Liverpool 15 DF Sergio Ramos 30 March 1986 (22) 31 4 Real Madrid 16 FW Sergio García 9 June 1983 (24) 0 0 Real Zaragoza 17 FW Dani Güiza 17 August 1980 (27) 2 0 Real Mallorca 18 DF Álvaro Arbeloa 17 January 1983 (25) 1 0 Liverpool 19 MF Marcos Senna 17 July 1976 (31) 7 0 Villarreal 20 DF Juanito 23 July 1976 (31) 20 2 Real Betis 21 MF David Silva 8 January 1986 (22) 11 2 Valencia 22 MF Rubén de la Red 5 June 1985 (23) 0 0 Getafe 23 GK José Manuel Reina 31 August 1982 (25) 9 0 Liverpool

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