The Spain National Team Discussion Thread

Nicknames
La Selección (The Selection)
La Furia Roja (The Red Fury)
La Roja (The Red One)

Head coach:
Vicente del Bosque

Captain:
Iker Casillas

FIFA code:
ESP

FIFA ranking:
1

Highest FIFA ranking
1 (July 2008–present)

Lowest FIFA ranking
25 (March 1998)

Records:




This post has been edited by solstice818: Jul 2 2012, 04:39 AM

The Squad

Goalkeepers
1 Iker Casillas (captain)
13 Diego López
23 José Manuel Reina

Defenders
2 Raúl Albiol
3 Gerard Piqué
4 Carlos Marchena
5 Carles Puyol
11 Joan Capdevila
15 Sergio Ramos
19 Álvaro Arbeloa

Midfielders
6 Pablo Hernández
8 Xavi Hernández
10 Cesc Fàbregas
12 Sergi Busquets
14 Xabi Alonso
18 Albert Riera
20 Santi Cazorla
21 David Silva
22 Juan Mata

Strikers
7 David Villa
9 Fernando Torres
16 Fernando Llorente
17 Dani Güiza

This post has been edited by solstice818: Jun 21 2009, 07:59 PM

Reserved For Future Use

Reserved For Future Use

Reserved For Future Use

Del Bosque lauds his record-breakers

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has backed his all-conquering side to continue going from strength to strength and 'break many more records'.



The European champions became the first international side to claim 15 successive wins with Saturday night's 2-0 triumph over South Africa in the Confederations Cup, eclipsing the mark jointly held by Brazil, Australia, and France.

The result also saw Spain equal Brazil's world-leading run of 35 games unbeaten, set between 1993 and 1996, and they will claim that record outright if they avoid defeat in the Confederations Cup semi-finals.

It has been a remarkable run of success for the Iberian nation and Del Bosque sees no reason why it will not continue.

When asked if he thought his team's hunger would be diminished in the wake of their achievements, Del Bosque said: "I don't think so. This team will break many more records. Some day we will lose, but until that happens we need to continue enjoying it. I'm proud of this group."

Delighted though he was with the win over South Africa and the world record, Del Bosque admits that he places getting through to the last four of the Confederations Cup higher than anything else.

"I'm happy with both things, but above all getting through to the semi-finals. We've come here to win the Confederations Cup," he added.

Striker Fernando Torres, meanwhile, expects opposing sides to be even more determined to beat Spain in the future.

"We're very happy because we will go down in history with these two records. If they haven't been broken in so much time it's because it isn't easy to do it," he said.

"We know that it's going to be harder each time to win games, that's normal. Our opponents are going to know more about us, and they will also want to beat us because defeating Spain now is like it was before to beat Brazil or Argentina."

Best player ? Who?

Yea, Pique's goal should be offside.Anyway, I like Riera's strike...That goal was nice

Woot.Another victory,Fab scored!

I think Valdes will get the 3rd gk slot...

Last 3 GK:
Casillas
Reina
Valdes

Anyway, I think there's a little too much forwards.The defense looks rather thin.8 Defenders in squad and 9 forwards listed.When it's down to 23men, I hope the gaffer can keep the defenders number> strikers number.

Didn't expect Pedro go be selected.Anyway, good lineup.No senna though

Red names are those being removed.

This post has been edited by solstice818: May 21 2010, 12:48 PM

At times I wonder why Spain have so much good keepers.Besides the usual Casillas, Reina, Valdes, there is Lopez..Wonder if the likes of De Gea and Assenjo can break into the national squad...

Oh..We got Almunia too...although not as talented as the four mentioned, he is still a decent keeper.

We scored 6 =)

Woot, we won Would be better if Villa scored the 3rd

The thing is pace alone wont help you much.I would rather have slow player that deliver their game perfectly.Consistency is what matters now especially in tournament like this.

He is just back from injury ma...Kinda expected

Lets hope we can win tonight!

Let's not get this personal.It's undeniable that Pedro is kinda selfish.Overdribbling at times.Anyway, would love to see Llorente above Pedro or Torres.

Villa equals Raul's record and Torres scored a brace.Never better

Lost out to England. Could have play better. Poor finishing sums it all.