Spanish success cuts no ice with Torres

Fernando Torres knows the expression 'fortune favours the brave', but the Spain striker sets little store by it despite the last-gasp goal that sent his side into the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™.

Extreme sensations
The forward, who scored his first goal of the finals in Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Sweden in Innsbruck, may only be 24 but already he has played in plenty of matches which have been decided in the final seconds and he knows only too well that for every game that is won in such a manner – as at the Stadion Tivoli Neu, where David Villa struck two minutes into added time – another is lost. "It's a massive feeling when that happens in your favour and it gives confidence to the entire squad," said the Liverpool FC player. "I know precisely how the Swedes must feel today because I've had it happen to me often enough too. Games like that can go in your favour or be snatched away and I can recall clearly both kinds of experience."

'Tactical variety'
Torres also believes the Sweden game was a foretaste of things to come as, after the counterattacking display that overwhelmed Russia in their opening fixture, Spain had to work hard to break down a disciplined and stubborn Swedish side. "It's best to accept the fact and prepare for it now – Sweden was an early warning for what awaits us," he added. "Teams will try to prevent us imposing our style, they'll try to choke the supply to and from our most important players and we'll have to work for victories. So what I thought was vital was that we showed we have tactical variety. The two goals were completely different and so were our tactical approaches to playing Russia and Sweden."

'Uniting the country'
The Madrileño is also growing accustomed to an unfamiliar role alongside Villa, who has four goals to his name already in these finals after hitting six in qualifying. The main goal threat for his club, Torres is playing second fiddle at international level but he is nevertheless enjoying building their understanding. He said: "David is clever, quick and terrific to play with. I'm sure he'll finish as the tournament's top scorer, in fact he's most of the way there already. A striker's job is to score but I've got one goal and he's got four so I don't think anyone could ask for more. When we score it doesn't matter who got it – it's a goal which unifies the country and that's why you see the whole team celebrating together so passionately."