MADRID - Echoing what many have designated the curse of Spanish soccer for the past four decades, Xabi Alonso, international midfielder for Spain, said Tuesday: "It's strange that Spain hasn't been close to [the European Championship] title since '64," referring to Tuesday's rendezvous of Spain's internationals of past (the 1964 cup winners) and present for a photo opportunity outside of Madrid.

Alonso is just one of the young players on Luis Aragonés' national side seeking to put an end to Spain's tradition of lackluster results on the international stage at the upcoming European Championship, to be played in Austria and Switzerland. In 2004, Spain was sent out in the first round. And barring 1964, its best finishes have been a ticket home in the quarterfinals in 1996 and 2000.

Alonso will be joined in midfield by the creative and talented trio of Xavi, Cesc Fàbregas and Andrés Iniesta, with Aragonés opting to do away with wingers and placing his offense faith in the boots of a lone striker, Fernando Torres.

One concern is if Torres will be able to re-adapt to Spain's control-and-pass game, so different from the direct-attack approach in which he has thrived at Liverpool.

Surprise pick Santiago Cazorla of Villarreal, Getafe's Rubén de la Red, as well as Valencia's David Silva all complete Aragonés' brimming arsenal of midfielders.

Chus Pereda, one of the two legendary goal scorers that pushed the "Heroes of '64" over the former Soviet Union, commented: "In midfield there is incredible talent. Any one of them can feed Torres, who is in a stellar moment, or [David] Villa."

Villa, another of the coach's wild cards, Sergio García, and Liga golden boot Daniel Güiza will be on call to provide fresh legs should Torres falter - to the detriment of passed-over option Raúl - with Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol leading the defence.

Spain will start the first phase on 6 June against Russia, in a group that also includes Sweden and Greece. It remains to be seen if Aragonés can continue to milk the magic out of his young squad: after summer of 2006 losses to Northern Ireland and Sweden, Spain apparently had a good look in the mirror, and has remained unbeaten for their last eight games.

But, as Aragonés has admitted freely, "this team has no lack of character... But luck," the veteran coach added, "always comes in handy."

text by dpa / Kelly Ramundo / Expatica
photos by Google