Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies
06-06-2008 13:37
Special Report: 2008 European ChampionshipsBEIJING, June 6 -- Spain set off for the European Championship on Thursday under no illusions.
"The moment of truth has arrived," striker Fernando Torres said.
As so often before, Spain departed for a major tournament to the screams of optimistic fans and rated one of the favorites to lift the title. The challenge, as it always seems to be, is to avoid its near traditional stumble under pressure and please all those who want to see a talented squad fulfill its potential.
The 23-man squad left the airport at the northern city of Santander backed noisily by supporters even though it only scraped through its final Euro 2008 warmup match 10 hours earlier with a 1-0 victory against the United States.
Spain is considered one of the favorites going into the June 7-29 tournament in Austria and Switzerland after its sixth straight victory stretched a near 20-month unbeaten run to 16 games.
But unless the Spanish, whose sole major trophy came from this same competition 44 years ago, can get their act together in time for their opening Group D match against Russia on Tuesday, the cries will turn into the familiar ones of anguished fans mourning another disappointment.
Xavi Hernandez's impressive 78th-minute solo effort salvaged a disorganized win in the team's second and final warmup for the tournament, the first being a last-gasp 2-1 win against Peru on Saturday.
The 21st-ranked Americans then held the advantage for the first hour on Wednesday before Spain finally got its stuttering offense together. Spain, No. 4 in FIFA's world standings, were jeered off at halftime in a match the Spanish press summed up as boring.
Torres' strike partner David Villa is recovering from a thigh injury and his progress will be closely watched over the coming days. Attacking midfielder Andres Iniesta has also recovered from food poisoning and should start at the Nuevo Tivoli stadium at Innsbruck on Tuesday.
Spain holds perhaps the championship's most potent attack, which has left the team toying with formations in the buildup. Regardless of whether it goes with a single striker or a 4-4-2 system against the Russians, Spain will try not to waver from its strengths in a first-round group also containing Sweden and defending champion Greece.
Xavi's role could make him even more important than Liverpool striker Torres.
Torres had the most prolific rookie season in England by a foreign player with 33 goals but has managed only 15 in 49 for Spain. But the weight of expectation accompanying the 24-year-old forward hasn't shown, although coach Luis Aragones has called upon his team to help out its star player.
In Burghausen, Germany, Russia rallied from an early deficit and beat Lithuania 4-1 in its final warmup match.
Editor:Zhang Ning
