Torras: Spain's mentality never changes

On Wednesday, Spain kick off their bid for a fifth straight UEFA Futsal EURO title and if they are successful, Torras will have been involved in all five.

The 33-year-old FC Barcelona player has been part of the Spain set-up for the last decade, winning the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Cup and then the European crowns of 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2012 – when his five goals and one assist earned him the adidas Golden Boot. Following the international retirement of contemporaries Luis Amado, Kike and Álvaro, the versatile Torras is the senior man going into UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 in Antwerp, where Spain face Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group D. He spoke to UEFA.com about the coming campaign and his past highlights.

UEFA.com: What does it mean to you to play in the finals in Belgium?

Torras: When a player plays in a tournament like this, it means you're operating at the highest level. To make it to a EURO is not easy, and then especially if you're playing for Spain there is extra pressure attached. We are basically the favourites, we have won the last four EUROs. Our objective is to continue winning trophies. We know how difficult it is, but for a player this is the best competition, and that makes it a fantastic event.

UEFA.com: Talk us through your 2012 win in Croatia?

Torras: We played a good group stage, where we wanted to do as well as possible to go on and win the title. We had a very tough semi-final against Italy, but in the end I think we deservedly won it. And then the final against Russia where we had to take off our goalkeeper in the dying seconds as we were behind! But to win a title like that, the happiness is immense. And if you win it like that against such a strong opponent as Russia, who for me were also among the favourites, then the happiness and joy are even greater.

UEFA.com: What would it be like to win the title for a fifth time?

Torras: It would mean Spain have been working well at a national level. You don't really notice changes of generation in the team. That is the result of us continuing to win titles, and I think it will continue for even longer. At least the desire to achieve will be there – then you can win or lose. But one thing is clear: Spain have always had a great group of players who work very well together, there has always been great team work. If we let everyone do what they wanted, we wouldn't get anywhere. The strength of the Spain team is that one of the objectives is the focus on the group. Without a group it would be hard to achieve that fifth title.

UEFA.com: Which of your four titles stands out?

Torras: I give importance to all the trophies I've won, regardless of the level. But looking at the four European titles, then in terms of how it went and the difficulties we had to overcome, it would be the one in Portugal [in 2007]. We really suffered in that semi-final against Portugal, going 2-0 down [before winning on penalties]. I guess that title would be the one. Then, on a personal level and because of the attendances, the one in Croatia was very important.

UEFA.com: How have the team changed since two years ago?

Torras: The mentality is the same. Of course there are new players, while others have left – players like Álvaro and Kike, and others, who are hard to replace. But you have to solve that somehow. The good thing about it, and something which will help us, is that there are many players who are hungry for further success in the history of our sport. Despite us having won so many titles we won't now ease off. No, it is the opposite: we want to win even more titles and I think we can handle the pressure.

UEFA.com: With those older players gone, you are the senior man ...

Torras: Yes, I am like a leader, but it is mostly about helping and supporting on and off the pitch. You need to be the calmest person when it comes to, for example, decisions on or off the field. It is also about helping your team-mates in things you have been through, things you have learned from players like Kike, Luis Amado or Julio. That makes you feel like you're leading and helping your team-mates in difficult moments, also in training camps and friendly matches, to keep up that ambition and hunger to continue winning.