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Hot topic: Champions begin their bid #ESPCZE

Our Spain v Czech Republic match reporter Paul Saffer debates the champions' opening game with our men in the team camps, Graham Hunter and Ondřej Zlámal.

Can Spain put Brazil 2014 behind them?
Can Spain put Brazil 2014 behind them? ©Getty Images

Paul Saffer (@UEFAcomPaulS), match reporter: The spotlight is on Toulouse today as Spain play the Czech Republic (#ESPCZE) and team reporters Graham Hunter and Ondřej Zlámal have joined me for an in-depth look.

Live match build-up

Start with you, Graham: you've been in the Spain camp for their recent victories, what is your sense of the mood this time around as they prepare to start? 

Graham Hunter, Spain team reporter (@BumperGraham): I see differences. Not negative but when you lose guys like Joan Capdevila, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Torres over the years it’s not just talent that you miss but the kind of atmosphere that 'winner' players bring with them. Also the kind of atmosphere based on them knowing each other for years and years and years.

The positive is that it's a relaxed, hard-working, positive atmosphere. Perhaps it feels  a bit 'fresh' a bit 'new’ with veterans like Bruno Sorino and Aritz Aduriz who’ve never been at a senior tournament before plus Alvaro Morata, Thiago Alcántara, Héctor Bellerín and a couple of others who're making the step up from junior European Championships of various kinds.

That means that there's a unity, a sense of purpose but also some newness, some who can’t wait for the first game to begin in order to really 'feel' that they're in a tournament. Overall positive.

Paul: Hard to think of a more experienced squad at any tournament I can remember! Ondřej, how do the Czechs feel about starting with the champs?

Ondřej Zlámal, Czech Republic team reporter (@UEFAcomOndrejZ): Well the Czechs know very well what they are up against. If they are destined to play against Spain then it is better to play in the opening game rather than a group decider. The coach is trying to tune the team up to a different tactics than in the qualifiers knowing the defensive block has to be perfect to succeed.

They won a strong qualifying group with the Netherlands, Turkey and Iceland. But they know the offensive football might not work against Spain. That would be dangerous. But I smell a feeling that they are ready to prepare something surprising.

Paul: What is the Spanish view of the Czechs, Graham, so you see them as the toughest group opponents?

Graham: Firstly, although Spain have a view on the Czechs they are one of those teams who prefer to concentrate on the 'what WE can do theme'. They don't obsess on any opponent whether it's Czech Republic or Germany or France. 

Ondřej: That is certainly not the Czech way. They are ready to adopt the tactics to the smallest detail according to who they face. Set pieces, defence, attacking formation. Coach Pavel Vrba always prepares detailed homework for each of his players. They will probably know even what Spain had for breakfast before the game.

Czech Republic guide

Graham: Spain know very well that, firstly, Czech Republic won a tougher qualifying group and won it in more style.

Secondly some of the Spain players have played this season against the Czech stars like Thiago for Bayern against Theodor Gebre Sellassie or Bruno against the Viktoria Plzeň guys. There’s respect but particularly for, of course, Petr Čech and Tomáš Rosický.

Iker Casillas told me that, with all humility, Čech, Buffon and he himself have been the three keepers to dominate a European era and he thinks so highly of the Arsenal keeper. Then Bellerín said that Rosický is one of the most intelligent footballers in Europe, anywhere, and that he orchestrates both Arsenal and Czech Republic. That he's very, very dangerous.

More than just what Spain think of Czech Republic, there’s a fear of losing any opening game now. They coped in the 2010 FIFA World Cup but it hurt them HUGELY two years ago in Brazil.

They do NOT by any means think that the Czech Republic is the easy game of the group. In fact Cesc said that he views Turkey, Croatia and Czech Republic as being at exactly the same level and ALL capable of beating Spain if Spain aren’t at 100%

Watch Spain's 2008 winner

Paul: 2014 was something I was going to ask about – whatever it was went wrong then, do you reckon they've put it right now?

Graham: Hmm. Only to some degree. They certainly felt and looked more saturated, less electric, less intense both daily and in matches. They worked hard, nobody fooled around but there was a certain degree of cutting edge missing. Casillas was in an 'unhappy' place in his career he now admits, Costa wasn’t fully fit and Xavi was terribly, terribly wounded to be dropped for the Chile game. 

Tournaments, I’ve learned, really ARE governed by minor details, things which can go either way and make a huge different to morale or to luck or to confidence.

So the difference between David Silva missing a one v one chance at 1-0 up with moments to half-time and then a goal going in from Robin van Persie, brilliantly taken, for 1-1 became not a setback but a massive blow to confidence. Now, yes, there’s been changes. No Diego Costa, no Santi Cazorla - two guys who, if fully fit, would have been here.

Youth – Thiago fit, Morata, which whom he won U21 EURO fit, Nolito picked on form Aduriz here because of the BEST season of his life at 35. You can sense proper intensity, concentration, pride and hunger.

Not like 2008, that was different. This is a group which hasn’t been together for years and years but it IS one which has used the humiliation of Brazil as a stimulus.

Ondřej: The Czechs spoke about Spain with great respect, of course. Many of them have played against Barcelona and recently Villareal, Tomáš Rosický knows the Spanish style of football very well.

They all know that the game will require a lot of running without ball and concentation. Tomáš Sivok, the central midfielder, said the game will be about tremendous concentration and will be more tiring mentally than physically.

They have seen Spanish tactics – to keep possession and try to hit the defence out of the blue with a thrilling pass. It will be very important for them to stay 100% focused and not allow any space in any part of the pitch.

Poborský's scoop at EURO '96

Paul: So, Ondřej, think the Czechs can win this one, and generally how far can they go in France?

Ondřej: It will all depend on how well they will defend. There is a problem in the centre of defence with Marek Suchý banned for the game, so Sivok and probably Kadlec will be there in the centre.

In the previous 21 or so games Czechs have always conceded a goal. It depends on how long they prevent Spain from scoring. Counterattacks can be dangerous especially in the latter stages. I believe they are capable to qualifying from the tough group, to beat Spain might be a bit hard.

Paul: OK, time to put you both on the spot (and me) – score predction...?

Graham: 2-1 Spain

Ondřej: 1-1

Graham: Yeah, there’s a good chance Ondřej is right: A very good chance. 

Ondřej: I cannot say anything else, they would kick me out of the base camp!

Paul: Blimey, best put a stop to this! Looking for a 4-3 classic myself. Anyway, not long to wait now! Follow the build-up with the three of us from Toulouse in our live match blog and join the #EURO2016 conversation with #ESPCZE. Thanks fellas!