jeudi 24 mars 2011

PREVIEW: Spain keen to stay top in Euro 2012 qualifying

Spain are planning to stay top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group I by beating the Czech Republic in a table-topper on Friday in Granada.
The world and European champions have won their first three matches in the group for a perfect nine points. The Czechs are in second place with six points, two points above Scotland and Lithuania.
"The sooner we are qualified (for the finals) the better. That way
we will not suffer a lot," said striker David Villa on Tuesday after a ceremoney to unveal a statue of him at Madrid's wax museum.
"We have two important games now, against the Czech Republic and Lithuania (on March 29) and if we win both we will have a foot and a half in the finals."
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will have to get by without injury victims Carles Puyol, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas.
"We should be respectful towards the Czech Republic because they were a reference point in Europe for many years, and because they have very dangerous players. They will not be easy opponents," he said.
Del Bosque is likely to cover up for the loss of Puyol by putting Sergio Ramos, usually right-back, in the centre of defence. Real Madrid team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa will stand in for Ramos at right-back.
In midfield will be the unit that triumphed at the World Cup: Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Villa will play out on the left wing, as he does for Barcelona, with Fernando Torres the centre-forward.

The Czech squad of coach Michal Bilek flew into Granada on Tuesday. Bilek said that he was "very pleased" to have veteran striker Milan Baros back in the squad after the Galatasaray striker had missed several games through injury.

The other two "golden oldies" of his squad are Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Cech and Arsenal playmaker Tomas Rosicki.

The Czechs have an enviable record in the European Championship. They have not failed to qualify for the finals since 1992, were winners in 1976 (as Czechoslovakia) and runners-up in 1996.

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