Showing posts with label Del Bosque. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Del Bosque. Show all posts

Friday, October 10, 2014

Casillas hurting Spain's Euro 2016 hopes

Slovakia shocked Spain on Thursday night as they picked up an incredible 2-1 victory against La Roja, a match in which Iker Casillas's place in the side was once again called into question.

Vicente del Bosque stuck with the veteran shot-stopper at the World Cup despite losing his undisputed No.1 status at Real Madrid, but his poor form in Brazil continued in Zilina as the 33-year-old allowed a routine free kick to fly past him down the centre of the goal.

Casillas's performance against Slovakia could be the final straw for a player who has captained his country to World and European glory, with David de Gea - who was so magnificent against Everton at the weekend - waiting in the wings.
Friday, October 10, 2014 14:00

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Xavi calls time on Spain career

Xavi has retired from international football after winning the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.

The 34-year-old was capped 133 times, more than any other Spanish outfield player, while Vicente del Bosque admits the national side will struggle to find a replacement for the Barcelona midfielder.

"We have lost a unique player in the national team and it will be difficult to find another one like him,” said the 63-year-old.

"Xavi has been key in Spain's style and in all the success achieved. We'll miss him so much on and off the pitch."
Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:00

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Stark reality bites in Spain's Roja wedding

It's over, it's finally over. Spain, reigning world and European champions have been dumped out of the World Cup thanks to a colossal performance from Chile.

Jorge Sampaoli's side, also nicknamed La Roja, scored twice in the first half in a frantic end-to-end game of football in Rio de Janeiro.

And for Vicente del Bosque's team it was very much a case of one tournament too far for a group of players who have defined an era. There will be casualties from this exit, not least if they fail to even take home the wooden spoon in their final game against Australia.
Thursday, 19 June 2014 12:46

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Van Persie and Robben tuck into Spanish feast

Spain endured a miserable start to their World Cup 2014 campaign after being thrashed 5-1 by Netherlands on Friday night.

Xabi Alonso gave the holders the lead from the penalty spot but Louis van Gaal’s men scored a stunning equaliser from Robin van Persie to ensure the two sides went in level at the break.

The second half was one to forget for the Spanish, with goals from Stefan de Vrij, another for Van Persie and an Arjen Robben double sealing an incredible win. 
Saturday, 14 June 2014 11:51

A tribute to Spain 2014

Don't forget to watch the animation of Spain's history in the World Cup:

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Del Bosque praying for Diego Costa recovery

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque is praying striker Diego Costa can overcome injury in time to take part in the World Cup, and has even delayed the announcement of his 23-man squad as he sweats on the Atletico Madrid forward's fitness.

The Brazilian-born attacker had a disrupted end to the season with Atleti, with a string of injury problems hampering his involvement in the run-in. He lasted just 16 minutes in the Liga title-decider against Barcelona and was withdrawn after only nine minutes in the Champions League final.

"I'm not sure Costa will make it," Del Bosque told reporters on Thursday. "We've still got time but now it's in the hands of the doctors and the medical team. We have to be cautious."

Costa was the subject of great controversy when he swapped Brazil, the country of his birth, for Spain back in March, despite having already appeared in two friendlies for the Selecao. His continued injury problems mean he could miss out on the chance to ruin the hosts' World Cup party.
Friday, May 30, 2014 12:30

Friday, October 4, 2013

El Matador: Diego Costa switches to Spain

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has confirmed he wants to switch national allegiances from Brazil to Spain.

The 24-year-old has never represented the Selecao at any level and now has Spanish citizenship which entitles him to play for La Roja.

While Costa is ineligible for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers he has agreed to link up with the world champions and Vicente Del Bosque for future internationals.
Friday, October 4, 2013 11:49

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Ruthless Brazil sink Spain

Brazil claimed the Confederations Cup on Sunday with an emphatic victory over world and European champions Spain.

Vicente del Bosque's side were fancied by many to win the competition, which served as something of a dress rehearsal for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

But the tournament hosts raced out of the blocks and led through a Fred goal after just two minutes.

Neymar added a second just before half time, before Fred completed the scoring shortly after the interval. 

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Brazil & Spain set to serve up a Confederations Cup treat

The climax to the Confederations Cup takes place on Sunday night as Brazil host World and double European champions Spain in the Maracana in front of an expectant crowd.

Neymar has lit up the tournament so far, while Fernando Torres has banged in crucial tournament goals again for Vicente Del Bosque's side.

It all adds to an enticing final match that should provide a lovely taster for next summer and the fervour with which the tournament has been received by the Brazilian public will have whet the appetite of football fans around the globe ahead of World Cup 2014. 

Monday, July 2, 2012

Spain smash all the records at Euro 2012

Spain secured their third major international tournament victory on the trot by emphatically beating Italy 4-0 in the final of Euro 2012.

First-half goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba gave La Roja a half-time lead before late strikes from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata added a gloss to the scoreline.

Their run of trophies on the international stage is unprecedented but that was not the only record that Spain smashed in Poland and Ukraine.

Their 4-0 victory over the Azzurri was the biggest ever in a European Championship final, while Iker Casillas became the first player to win 100 international matches.

13 Spain players are the first to appear in and win two European Championship finals and Fernando Torres and Xavi are the first to score and assist respectively in two of those games.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Spain and the potato field


this cartoon is on Spain last match against Lithuania
the Spanish press described Lithuanian pitch to a potato field
Spain won 3-1 in that match

Friday, October 15, 2010

Ranieri badly imitating Mourinho


Luciano Moggi declares that the problem of Roma is in the poor Ranieri imitating of Mourinho .. But what is the only mask that Ranieri does not want to wear ..?
Between Moggi's comments and Ranieri's insistence on wearing a mask for a coach, what is the only mask Ranieri does not want?