Yes, I was pleasantly surprised to see their defense (or lack thereof) today. And we thought ours was bad!
The full squad of 23 players gathered together at Federation headquarters in Las Rozas for the first time following the arrival of players from Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao. Also turning up were Carles Puyol and David Villa to lend moral support. Afterwards the squad gathered to take the official team photo.
The Spanish team's autobus that will be used to transport the players and officials throughout Poland/Ukraine. “Un motivo para vivir, una razón para soñar ¡Viva España!”
Having recovered from a right thigh injury picked up at the end of the club season, Cesc Fábregas trained with the squad for the first time as the team went through a morning session workout on Tuesday. Departure from Madrid-Barajas is scheduled for 16:00 with the plane touching down in Gdansk at roughly 7:30pm. From there the bus journey is expected to arrive in Gniewino at 9:00pm. The Hotel Mistral will serve as the team's base headquarters during their Euro stay.
Here's the team at Madrid-Barajas as they boarded the flight to Gdansk... And if you look close enough, standing underneath the plane's door near the center of the photo, someone has decided to present a new look at the Euro.
On Monday the RFEF reversed their position on social media and will allow the players to use twitter and facebook while they are in Poland/Ukraine. Here's a list of twitter accounts I'm pretty sure are legit... @R_Albiol @3gerardpique @Javi24kikiteam (Javi Martínez) @Juanfrantorres @andresiniesta8 @_Pedro17_ @cesc4official @anegredo9 @1victorvaldes @juanmata10 XabiAlonso @aarbeloa17 @llorentefer19 @SCazorla12 @DavidSilva_21 Xavi and Busquets definitely do NOT have twitter accounts. Unaware if these players do or do not: Casillas, F. Torres, Alba, Navas, Reina
Pretty sure Casillas has one as I remember it popping up once or twice on AS/Marca news articles. If they have any real news worth (or something close to it) it will be posted on the usual news sites anyway, never really been a fan of twitter. Have to go through 95% nonsense to get 5% that might be interesting? Yay! But then I don't do facebook either.
After arriving in Gdansk, the players and officials were given a traditional Polish hospitality welcome which included a presentation of chlebem i solą (bread and salt), received by Fernando Llorente.
Serenaded to the tune of "Guantanamera" by some 300 locals as well as 40 travelling Spanish supporters, the outfield players held their first training session in Gniewino Wednesday just before noon. (The three goalkeepers did not take part)
Looks like I may be right. Outside of Ireland being a worthy adversary I said Italy wouldn't be a threat. Spain and Croatia looking good so far.
Same here. The only way I see a high-scoring draw happening is if Spain pull a Barça and choke away a lead.