Spain-Russia Can’t Come Soon Enough …

Can’t these games just start already?

I’m sick to death of the previews, the stories about how Spain chokes in major tournaments, the innuendos, etc. I just want the games to be played! Let’s go, people!!

I’m also sick to death of the Cristiano Ronaldo saga, but that’s another story.

The good news is that I’ll be in Spain for a small part of the tournament. I leave next Saturday for Barcelona, so if any of you are in Spain, please message me and let’s get together …

Ok, now on the the news …

- Coach Luis Aragones thinks we’ll do the business.

The veteran coach glared and scowled at some journalists before yelling this quote at them: “The group is a strong unit and completely ready to win and continue winning,” he growled. “I know that the players have confidence in themselves and little-by-little by they will gain the morale that they need. I have no doubts about the squad.”

First up? The aforementioned Russia, coached by football mage Guus Hiddink.

“Hiddink is an old fox and there is no doubt that the way they play will not be good for us because they keep a lot of players back,” he yelled, shrugging his shoulders again and again.

Aragonés reiterated his belief that Spain cannot think about losing against the Russians and said that, despite the criticism that would follow, a draw would be good.

“This first game is so important that it is a game that we just cannot contemplate losing. We want a draw at the very least, although it would be said we played badly if that happened,” he concluded.

I think a draw would be fine. But I’d rather a win, eh?

- Two Rhodes scholars climbed the New York Times building in midtown Manhattan yesterday. They really wanted to know what the Times thought of Spain’s chances in Group D. They could have just gone through the front door, no?

Anyways, here’s what the Times thinks. Some here for free, click the link for more (you know the drill now …):

Coach Luis Aragones has never minced words, and has often ended up in trouble because of his candor, some would say his arrogance. This time around, he raised hackles in Spain when he left Raúl, the country’s career leading international scorer, off the roster. It is clear that Aragones, and Spain, have hitched their wagon to the dynamic and marauding striker Fernando Torres (Liverpool). One of the leading scorers last season in the English Premier League, Torres is an impressive package of speed, skill and uncanny scoring ability from the most extreme angles.

Torres is likely to be flanked by Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) and David Villa (Valencia). Iniesta missed some time before the tournament as he dealt with a bout of food poisoning. With a fluid three-man strike force, the Spaniards could be among the highest scoring teams in the tournament because of the midfield service expected to flow from Xavi Hernández (Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal) and Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal).

- David Villa might play against Russia after all. If so, Aragones will play with two forwards. Villa and Torres.

- British fans are backing Spain!

A new poll reveals British fans will be backing Spain, Portugal and Holland at the tournament, which kicks off on Saturday. The survey, conducted by Football Fans Census for Nuts TV, also reveals there’s still no love for the ‘old enemy’ - Germany.
Some 31% of England fans are hoping the Germans do badly this summer.

I’m hoping they do badly, too. Just so we win … nothing personal, of course …