Spain will go for broke

Remedy poor record
The Spanish squad are desperate to remedy their poor record in major tournaments and shed their label of under-achievers. Morientes said: "On paper a draw in the first game is a good result, but in reality, we can't go into the first game looking only for a draw.

Ambitious side
"That would be starting the tournament in the wrong way. We consider ourselves as one of the bigger teams and want to go further, so we have to aim for a victory, although Russia have a strong side, a bit erratic maybe, but with very strong individuals."

Portugal threat
After facing Russia, Spain then meet Greece and Portugal in Group A. "It would really be an advantage if we had already qualified before we meet Portugal in the last game of the group stage, because not only are Portugal a very strong side, they will also have the crowd behind them," said Morientes.