5 Things we have learned about matchday 8:

1) Villa is GOD! That wicked golazo at the end. That beautiful flick between the defender, that David clinically parked in the corner of the net a la Thierry Henry. Pure brilliance. Mara-Villa carried the pressures of the game and the team on his back and executed perfectly. Kudos to Joan Capdevila for having the foresight to send that long ball (YES long ball) out towards Villa. What more can I say!

2) We can win ugly! It wasn’t the prettiest of games, goals, or defending. It was frustrating and yes we suffered. The midgets in the midfield passing clinic approach didn’t work this time. Our corner kicks vs the giants were appalling. And frankly, I felt that the team was trying to play to Torres’ strengths with the long balls, to make him feel wanted. In the end, we got all 3 points with a little suffering and grit. Still not convincing, still questions. Shame on Sweden for playing for the draw.

3) Sergio Ramos can have two consecutive bad days at the office. Whodathunk? What is going on with Sergio? Has the ego landed? Is he still in disco dolly heaven? I don’t know but his decisions and performance of late, have been poor. Aliens have taken the real Sergio. We need him back. We all know that he is a world class player. But has it gone to his head a bit? He is definitely due for a stellar performance. He just needs to relax….

4) Lucky Gus is still Lucky Gus and we like it. Russia beat the Greeks, which means Spain is on top of the group and advances to the quarters. One can only hope that more havoc rocks the Group of Death. Snicker Snicker. The old man can rest our key players and give some playing time to Guiza, Xabi Alonso, etc. It’s a good thing because…

5) Carles Puyol is TBD. Our rock in the center of defense has hurt his foot. I am very concerned. Please let it be a minor fracture. I hope all the boy needs is pain killers. This is potentially a big blow to our future success in the tournament. The Valencia gruesome twosome, Marchena and Albiol, were serviceable, but we sorely need our rock and roll defender. Let’s all pray that he returns for the quarters.

A special round of applause for David Silva. I thought he was amazing. He created the first goal and held possession quite well against the Swedes. Our little energizer bunny was playing with heart and passion. He never gave up and constantly worked at creating space and opportunities. He may have been the smallest guy on the pitch, but he wouldn’t let anyone push him around. And yes that was a penalty! Silva was slammed ala WWE by Elmander. But what can you say about this ref? A ref who cared more about his power and position, then the rules of the game, IMO. Just plain awful.

That said, 3 more critical games, only 3. We’ve made it to the quarters. Let’s break the cycle. Vanamos!

Here then is the Spain Euro 2008 penpix, complete bios and stats of all the members of La Furia Roja straight from the fine folks at Reuters … ENJOY! (To view the penpix online, please click here!)

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid). Goalkeeper. Born 20.5.81. Caps 75. Goals 0.

The undisputed first choice, Casillas is the Spain captain and one of the squad’s truly world-class players. A brilliant shot stopper and seemingly impossible to beat in one-on-one situations, he occasionally has problems with high balls into the box and dealing with long-distance shots.

Pepe Reina (Liverpool). Goalkeeper. Born 31.8.82. Caps 9. Goals 0.

Began career at Barcelona, but made his name when he switched to Villarreal and helped them to finish in a best-ever third place in the league. Joined Rafa Benitez’s Spanish colony at Liverpool in 2005 and has thrived ever since.

Has an excellent record in saving penalties, but prone to the occasional gaffe and his distribution can be poor.

Andres Palop (Sevilla). Goalkeeper. Born 22.10.73 Caps 0. Goals 0.

Joined Sevilla in 2005 after spending six seasons as Santiago Canizares’s stand-in at Valencia. The hero of Sevilla’s 2007 victory in the UEFA Cup, he is a solid, economical keeper who inspires confidence.

Raul Albiol (Valencia). Defender. Born 4.9.85. Caps 4. Goals 0.

Big, strong centre-back whose career was almost ended by a car crash when on his way to join Getafe in a loan move in 2004. He lost his spleen and was in a coma for a short while, but made a successful recovery. Originally a holding midfielder, he has developed into an efficient, unfussy defender.

Fernando Navarro (Real Mallorca). Defender. 25.6.82. Caps 0 Goals 0.

A product of the Barcelona youth system, Navarro left the club for Mallorca in 2005, first on loan and then on a permanent move. A regular first-choice for the islanders in the last two seasons.

Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool). Defender. Born 17.1.83. Caps 1. Goals 0.

A versatile fullback who first got noticed when playing in the Real Madrid youth teams. A lack of first team opportunities prompted a move to Deportivo Coruna and after just half a season he joined Rafa Benitez’s Spanish contingent at Liverpool.

Got his first cap for Spain in the friendly victory over Italy in March.

Carles Puyol (Barcelona). Defender. Born 13.4.78. Caps 59. Goals 1.

Shaggy-haired defender who has become a highly influential figure for both Barcelona and Spain. Terrier-like in the tackle and a threat when he charges forward, but has a tendency to dive in to challenges and gives himself little margin for error.

More often used in a centre-half role rather than his previously favoured right-back slot.

Carlos Marchena (Valencia). Defender. Born 31.7.79. Caps 40. Goals 2.

Marchena broke into the national side after winning himself a place in the centre of the miserly Valencia defence that won the league title under Rafa Benitez in 2002.

A favourite of Luis Aragones, he is a determined defender and a good ball player, but does have a tendency to give away costly fouls in and around the area. Can also play a holding role in midfield.

Juanito (Real Betis). Defender. Born 23.7.76. Caps 23. Goals 2.

Strong, confident and good in the air, Juanito has been a fixture in the centre of the Betis back four for the last seven seasons. A reliable option who has always performed well for the national side.

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Defender. Born 30.3.86. Caps 32. Goals 4.

Became one of the world’s most expensive defenders when Real Madrid bought him out of his contract with Sevilla for 27 million euros in 2005. Skilful, brave and with an eye for goal, Ramos can play either on the right or in the centre of defence.

However, he loses his cool too often and has picked up a stack of bookings and red cards since joining Real.

Joan Capdevila (Villarreal). Defender. Born 3.2.78. Caps 16. Goals 2.

Joined Villarreal at the start of the season and an impressive campaign with the Mediterranean side has helped the Catalan make the previously problematic left-back slot his own.

Likes getting forward and frequently causes problems in the opposition area from set-pieces. Has a powerful shot on him and scored the winner in the recent friendly against France.

Xabi Alonso (Liverpool). Midfielder. Born 25.11.81. Caps 41. Goals 1.

Creative but gritty central midfielder who made his name when he played a key role in Real Sociedad’s surprise run to take second place to Real Madrid in the league in 2003. Now an established part of Liverpool’s Spanish colony.

Xavi (Barcelona). Midfielder. Born 25.1.80. Caps 56. Goals 5.

A key player for both Barcelona and Spain, Xavi’s patient ball skills and precise passes have the capacity to wear opponents down, but his service to the forwards can sometimes be on the slow side. Good from free kicks and likes to take a pot shot at goal.

Santi Cazorla (Villarreal). Midfielder. Born 13.12.84. Caps 0. Goals 0.

Highly talented attacking midfielder who has the ability to unlock opposition defences with a neat through pass or a jinking run.

Spent a season at Recreativo Huelva last year, but impressed so much that Villarreal decided to invite him back. The decision paid dividends as he has been instrumental in their best-ever second place finish in the league.

Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal). Midfielder. Born 4.5.87. Caps: 24. Goals: 0.

Arsenal spirited the talented but tough midfielder away from the Barcelona youth set-up as a 16-year-old and gave him a fast-track promotion into the first team.

He has thrived under Arsene Wenger, surprising many by displaying a maturity and work ethic well beyond his years. Although at the centre of things for Arsenal, he tends to get crowded out in the talented Spanish midfield.

David Silva (Valencia). Midfielder. Born 8.01.86 Caps: 12. Goals: 2.

Las Palmas-born Silva is a highly-talented midfielder who can play on the left flank or slot in behind the strikers. He was in superb form last season but is another victim of Valencia’s downturn and went off the boil this season.

Marcos Senna (Villarreal). Midfielder. Born 17.7.76 Caps: 9. Goals: 0.

Dynamic Brazilian-born central midfielder who broke into the Spain squad before the last World Cup. A key figure at Villarreal, he is the natural replacement for Valencia outcast David Albelda as a midfield ball-winner.

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona). Midfielder. Born 11.5.84 Caps 22. Goals: 5.

Another product of the Barcelona youth system, Iniesta has proved himself at the club despite the intense competition from a host of foreign internationals in recent seasons.

Has great vision and often provides the killer ball for the Barcelona forwards. His cool, unflustered approach to the game makes him an ideal big-game player.

Ruben de la Red (Getafe). Midfielder. Born 5.06.85. Caps: 0. Goals: 0.

Another former Real Madrid youth team player who has had to leave the club to prove his worth, De la Red can play in both midfield and at the back. An intelligent distributor of the ball, he played a key role in Getafe’s run to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup and the final of the King’s Cup.

Fernando Torres (Liverpool). Forward. Born 20.3.84. Caps: 47. Goals: 15.

Appears liberated after his move from Atletico to Liverpool and has had a sparkling first season at Anfield. Torres is exceptionally quick, but needs to be given the ball in space, something that does not always happen when he plays for the national side.

David Villa (Valencia). Forward. Born 3.12.81. Caps: 30. Goals: 13.

One of Spain’s few out-and-out strikers, Villa has had a muted season at troubled Valencia but he remains a classy finisher and has a more opportunist streak about him than Torres. It remains to be seen whether Aragones will play him alongside or as an alternative to the Liverpool striker.

Daniel Guiza (Real Mallorca). Forward. Born: 17.8.80. Caps: 2. Goals 0.

After an irregular career tracking around a series of less glamorous club sides, Guiza caught the eye of Getafe after a couple of impressive seasons with Ciudad Murcia.

His relationship with former gossip queen-turned football agent Nuria Bermudez has helped settle him down and was the leading goalscorer in the Primera Liga with 27 goals for his new club Mallorca.

Sergio Garcia (Real Zaragoza). Forward. Born 9.6.83. Caps 0. Goals 0.

Barcelona-born striker who broke into the first team in the 2003/04 season after impressing in the reserves.

Moved to Levante and then Zaragoza where he has made the successful switch from an out-and-out striker to playing on the right side of attack, providing a rare bright spot in the club’s miserable season in the Primera Liga.

(Sorry, I felt the need to put this up since I used to sing this song drunk while watching any football game)

Daryl already got some of you up to speed on the fact that Raúl will yet again not be called by Aragonés for La Furia. Is this really a shock to anyone? Really? I didn’t think so.

To start off, here is the team picked by the Old Man himself.

Arsenal: Cesc

FC Barcelona: Puyol, Iniesta y Xavi

Betis: Juanito

Espanyol: Luis García y Riera

Getafe: De la Red

Liverpool: Arbeloa, Reina, Torres y Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid: Casillas y Sergio Ramos

Mallorca: Fernando Navarro y Güiza

Valencia: Albiol, Marchena, Silva y Villa

Villarreal: Capdevila y Senna.

De La Red Gets the Call

There has been all sorts of talk surrounding this game the last few days. The biggest buzz is the call up of Rubén de La Red, who is on loan to Getafe this season from Real Madrid. Last year, de La Red couldn’t get a shot in Madrid, but a small move to the suburbs of the capital city sees him take on a pivotal role for el geta this season.

He’s on 2 goals and 3 assists for the season, but he has played in 29 games so far. Laudrup looks to the young Madridista as a solid player in the middle of the field and he can prove his worth. I’ve only seen him in a few games this season, but from what I remember the boy can play.

In an article today in AS, the youngster said ‘If it was up to me, I would go back to Madrid’, though he said he does thank Getafe for giving him an opportunity this season (but I can’t find the article it was on).

Luis had this to say about the youngster.

“Es un jugador que está creciendo, puede jugar por delante de la línea de centro del campo. A cualquier jugador que veamos en buena forma le vamos a dar la oportunidad de poder venir’

‘He’s a young player who’s growing, he can play in front of the midfielders. Any player that we see looking good, we will give him the opportunity to be able to come.’

Battered and Bruised: Puyol, Torres, Marchena

Fernando Torres and Carles Puyol are questionable for the game on Wednesday. Puyol was able to come into training and run for about 10 minutes, while Torres wasn’t able to make it onto the training ground from being banged up in the game against Manchester United this past weekend.

We will know more about ‘El Niño’ tomorrow I’m sure.

Marchena was at training after being pelted with the ball during the Real Madrid tie on Sunday. He was taken to the hospital, checked out and sent on his way and was on the pitch for Monday’s training session.

Under Whistles from the Fans

The team arrived in Elche under a barrage of whistles from the fans for not signing autographs for a hoard of little children waiting outside of the hotel. The only Spaniard to sign was Cesc Fabergas, why am I not surprised? I would have even thought de La Red would want to sign as many notebooks as he could get his hands on.

Cesc Thinks He Can ‘Give Much More to the Team

Cesc has been critisized as of late for not playing his best matches under the National Colors. In an interview this week he said ‘I can give much more with Spain, answering to some of these rumors of a Cesc that exists for Arsenal, and the ‘bizarro’ Catalan Ces that doesn’t play well when he returns to his native soil.

The last game I saw I wasn’t overly impressed with Cesc, but I wasn’t disappointed either. It is one thing to be a leader for a team you play with day in and day out, but it is more difficult to step in and step up with a group of guys you see once in a blue moon practically.

At any rate, Cesc will need to be a factor in the game against the Italians.

We Must Protect This House

La Furia have the upper hand in Elche, having gone 4 for 4 in games played in the Martínez Valero. Spain have only given up 1 goal in those for games and have scored 10 goals for.

Belgium (3-0, en 1986),
Macedonia (3-0 en 1995),
Ukraine (2-1 en 2003)
Egypt (2-0 en 2006).

The Italians

Roberto Donadoni (who by the way was my favorite player ever growing up as a kid brings 21 players with him to Elche.

Buffon, Oddo, Materazzi, Barzagli, Pirlo, Aquilani, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Borriello e Di Natale. La otra formación estaba compuesta por Amelia, Panucci, Cannavaro, Grosso, Ambrosini, Gattuso, De Rossi, Perrotta, Quagliarella, Iaquinta, Toni

Aside from that, when I tend to get outside of Spain ‘I don’t know my ass from a hole in the ground’ to quote my father. So I won’t event try to speculate what the Italians will do for the game.

But if anyone else has a preview for the Italians, post it in the comments below and I can add it here.

The game will be televised in Spain on TVE1 at 10:00 Spain Time (5:00 EST in the States since they haven’t changed their clocks yet).

I’ll post links to the game when I get them as well.