SPAIN TEAM PROFILE : Trophy quest continues

Spain may have needed to win a play-off against Norway to reach the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals, but there is little doubt that they boast a squad as talented as any other.

Array of talent
From the choice of Iker Casillas and Santiago Cañizares in goal, to the likes of Carles Puyol and Michael Salgado in defence, midfield players Xabi Alonso and Rubén Baraja and forwards Raúl González and Juan Carlos Valerón, coach Iñaki Sáez has an array envied by virtually all of his counterparts - shown as much as anything by the quality individuals that are only on the verge of his first-choice party.

Wide experience
Unsurprisingly, the spine of the 4-4-2 formation is made up of players with wide Primera División and UEFA Champions League experience. Raúl, Spain's all-time leading scorer, leads the line, supported by Valerón's incisive creativity, although youngsters Fernando Torres and José Antonio Reyes have both begun to break into the lineup.

Midfield selection
Baraja is the key man in the centre of midfield, as for Valencia CF, helped by club-mate David Albelda or playmaker Alonso. On the wings, Vicente Rodríguez is the first choice on the left while Joseba Etxeberría or Joaquín Sánchez usually fills the right-sided role. Certainly, the likes of Raúl and Torres provide excellent targets for their high crosses.

Defensive choice
In defence, Sáez has tried out several central partnerships. Puyol and Iván Helguera have emerged as a useful choice, though Carlos Marchena has proved more than capable. Salgado's combination of tough defending and forays down the flank have made his a clear a choice at right-back as he is for Real Madrid CF, while his club-mate Raúl Bravo is being groomed for the left-sided role, though Juanito is another choice with Puyol having switched to the middle.

Strength at the back
Casillas remains the first-choice goalkeeper, his acrobatic shot-stopping keeping him ahead of the huge and experienced Cañizares. Indeed, Spain's strength at the back explains why they conceded just four goals in Group 6 and scored 16 - twice the number managed by automatic qualifiers Greece.

Flying start
Indeed, for much of the campaign, Spain seemed the outstanding team in the group. Their 2-0 win in Greece in Sáez's first competitive game in charge was a comprehensive victory, and only a last-gasp equaliser for Ukraine in Kiev denied them a perfect record from their first four fixtures.

June setback
However, a 1-0 home defeat by Greece in June followed by a 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland saw Otto Rehhagel's team pip Sáez's selection to first place, forcing a play-off with Norway.

Norway beaten
But Spain found their true form in the play-offs. While in the first-leg in Valencia they needed a Henning Berg own goal to scrape a 2-1 win, they were by far the better side, and underlined it with a comfortable 3-0 victory in Oslo.

Proud record
So Spain can now go all out to land their first major honour for 40 years, when they won the UEFA European Championship on home soil. Having only twice failed to reach the last eight in continental competition, Spain are out to continue that proud record – as well as finally landing the trophy their talent deserves. At least they do not have far to travel.

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