Spain

News, commentary, tickets, pre and post match reaction alongside opinion about the Spain national football team.

March 12, 2020March 28, 2020 David

Europe, Tickets

Euro 2020 To Be Delayed Until Next Summer

UEFA are expected to suspend the Champions League and Europa League, postponing Euro 2020 for a year, but only after a meeting on March 17, claim L’Equipe.

It was announced today that UEFA were organising a summit via videoconference with representatives of the 55 members associations, boards of the European Club Association, European Leagues and FIFPro to discuss “European football’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

“Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA Euro 2020. Further communication will be made following those meetings.”

L’Equipe claim one decision has already been made, as UEFA are expected to announce that Euro 2020 will become Euro 2021. Read more... (285 words, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

3 Comments

November 30, 2019April 23, 2020 David

Europe, Tickets, World Cup

Spain Drawn With Poland And Sweden At Euro 2020

Spain will face Poland and Sweden in Group E at next summer’s European Championships, following the finals draw in Bucharest today.

La Roja, who won the competition in 2008 and 2012, were ranked as top seeds for the draw, and will be guaranteed a set number of home games (in Bilbao), as one of the co-host nations.

After sealing qualification earlier this month, the Spanish national team has been mired in controversy, following the return of head coach Luis Enrique.

The former Barcelona boss stepped away from the role during the qualification campaign, due to the illness and tragic death of his young daughter, however he has now retaken his role. Read more... (259 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)

3 Comments

November 19, 2019March 19, 2020 David

Europe, World Cup

Luis Enrique Returns As Spain Boss

Luis Enrique has officially returned as Spain boss five months after stepping down for personal reasons, it has been confirmed.

Former Barcelona boss Enrique stepped down from the role in June to spend time with his terminally ill daughter, who tragically passed away earlier this year.

The 49-year-old was replaced by his assistant, Robert Moreno, who went unbeaten through his nine matches at the helm – winning seven, and they have sealed their place in next summer’s European Championships finals. Read more... (251 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

Leave a comment

November 17, 2019March 19, 2020 David

World Cup

Luis Enrique Sacked Friend For Being “Disloyal”

Luis Enrique made his official return as head coach of the Spain team on Wednesday morning in Madrid, admitting that he felt betrayed by his former No 2 Robert Moreno.

Moreno took over from Luis Enrique in June when he resigned to care for his nine-year-old daughter Xana before she died of bone cancer in August.

Moreno saw Spain safely into next summer’s tournament but then left the job in tears after the last qualifier without giving his final post-match press conference.

The Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] reappointed Luis Enrique the following day amid suggestions he had not wanted Moreno on his staff. Read more... (454 words, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

Leave a comment

November 30, 2018November 30, 2019 David

Europe, Tickets

Euro 2020 Draw: Winners And Losers

The qualifying draw for Euro 2020 has been made and with any draw, some nations are much happier with their opponents than others.

The likes of Italy and England will be pleased with the draw but and Holland have been left cursing their luck.

Winners
Italy

After failing to qualify for World Cup, the Azzurri have been given a real chance of reaching this major tournament with Bosnia the only real threat in their group.

Manager Roberto Mancini was particularly happy to avoid Germany after his side were drawn in Group J, which also holds Finland, Greece, Armenia and Liechtenstein. Read more... (699 words, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)

Leave a comment

November 21, 2018October 30, 2020 David

Europe, Tickets

Euro 2020: Germany Falls To Second Pot

The 2020 EURO qualification just got a little more interesting with the news that UEFA has confirmed that Italy will be in Pot 1 and that Germany and Iceland will be in pot 2.

Joining Italy will be seeded alongside Belgium, France, Spain, Croatia and Poland.

Switzerland, Portugal, Netherlands and England are in their own Nations League pot after winning their respective groups.

The quartet are already assured of a playoff spot and will be drawn the first position in Groups A–D to ensure they each have two dates free to play the Nations League Finals in June. Read more... (262 words, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)

Leave a comment

September 12, 2018October 30, 2020 David

Barcelona, Champions League, Europa League, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid

Spain Dominates FIFPro World XI Nominations

FIFPro, the worldwide players’ union, and FIFA have announced the 55 names in contention for the FIFA FIFPro World11 2018.

The FIFA FIFPro World11 is decided by the players, for the players and involves votes from almost 25,000 professional footballers from 65 different countries. During voting, they each select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

This year’s list includes some familiar names, and standout statistics. Ten of last year’s World11 return to make the 55-man list, with Real Madrid the most-represented club side, seeing a full 11 players make the cut. Spain (nine) and France (eight) are the countries with the most players represented on the list. Read more... (618 words, estimated 2:28 mins reading time)

Leave a comment

June 15, 2018June 16, 2018 David

La Liga, Real Madrid, World Cup

Julen Lopetegui Unveiled As Real Madrid Manager

There was no lull in the mud-slinging between the Spanish national team and Real Madrid as the club’s president Florentino Perez labelled the decision to sack Julen Lopetegui ‘absurd’.

Spain kick-off their World Cup on Friday against Portugal but there was no amnesty, with Perez defending his club’s decision to poach the national team boss on the eve of the finals.

He said: ‘

Real Madrid had reached an agreement with Lopetegui for him to take over after the World Cup, respecting his contract, and it needed to be made public for it to be transparent and to avoid rumour and leaks that could affect the team. Read more... (760 words, 1 image, estimated 3:02 mins reading time)

Leave a comment

June 13, 2018June 16, 2018 David

World Cup

Spanish Civil War As Julen Lopetegui SACKED As Spain Boss

Stunning news from the Spain camp ahead of the World Cup where Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as Spain boss on the eve of the World Cup after Spanish FA chiefs were left furious following his announcement as Real Madrid boss.

Spain hastily called a press conference as reports emanated that the head of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, was left outraged by the timing of the announcement.

Following a bizarre morning, during which the Spanish players pleaded with Rubiales for Lopetegui to keep his job, it was decided that the manager’s position had become untenable. Read more... (354 words, 1 image, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

Leave a comment

June 14, 2014July 7, 2018 David

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd., World Cup

World Cup Day 2: End Of An Era In Spain

The second day of the World Cup brought us our first surprise as holders Spain were taken apart 5-1 by Holland in a rematch of the 2010 World Cup final. In the day’s other games Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0 while Chile got by Australia 3-1.

But the story was in Salvador where the new Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal side took apart the defending European champions with a brilliant second half display. Read more... (441 words, 1 image, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)

Leave a comment