Sáez thinking positively

By Andy Hall

Spain have started their final pre-UEFA EURO 2004™ preparations, with coach Iñaki Sáez insisting that they are not even contemplating disappointment in Portugal.

Morale boost
The squad arrived in Las Rozas, Madrid, on Friday, and morale has been raised by the announcement at the weekend that Sáez's contract has been renewed for a further two years. The 61-year-old revealed that he had been chewing over the extension offer since Spain defeated Norway in November's play-offs.

Sáez 'committed'
"I decided to renew now to bring a feeling of confidence to the squad," he said. "Soon we will be entering a major competition and I felt it was better for everyone to know where we stand beforehand, to let people know that I am committed to the job.

'Great atmosphere'
"There has been a great atmosphere in the camp over the past few days," Sáez added. "The players are excited and morale is high. The idea of losing has not even entered my head - once you start thinking about losing, you have already lost."

Goalkeeping speculation
There is currently much speculation concerning who will be Sáez's first-choice goalkeeper in Portugal. Valencia CF's Santiago Cañizares was forced out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup by a freak accident involving a dropped bottle of aftershave, but now he is staking his claim to supplant Real Madrid CF's Iker Casillas.

'At the team's service'
Having been allotted the No1 jersey for the tournament, Cañizares might even have the inside track on his rival, but he is taking nothing for granted. "As always, the decision lies with the coach and no one else," he said. "All the talk is just opinions that do not mean anything. The important thing is to be fit and well and at the team's service."

Togetherness the key
Cañizares believes this spirit of togtherness could be the key to success. "There are several teams that may be better than Spain but beating them is just a question of sheer hard work," he said. "Perhaps neither [FC] Porto or Valencia are considered the top teams in Europe but both have won their league and done well in Europe simply because they have grafted and done a good job. We have to do the same at the EURO."

Last friendly
Spain have just one more pre-tournament friendly, against Andorra in Getafe on 5 June, and open their EURO 2004™ campaign on 12 June against Russia.