a little wrap up post

I don’t have time to make a proper ICYMI post, as this game occurred in the middle of Semana Santa, so you’ll have to do with this.

Pedro said after the game that he had no idea how the ball went in, but the important thing is that it went in!

all set for France!

Keep in mind somos España as we take on France at 21h tonight, with a spot in the 2014 World Cup at stake.  Luckily for us, these two guys are scheduled to play.

Spain will debut a completely red kit (shirt, shorts, socks) for the game!  Let’s go La Roja!

back together again!

The concentración for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France began on Tuesday morning.  Surprisingly, as the players began arriving, there were no major fashion failures (emphasis on the word “major” since some of the players, in the simple act of choosing their own clothes, commit fashion crimes).

all set for Uruguay!

Spain takes on Uruguay tonight in Doha, Qatar (19h)!  This game will most likely be Carles Puyol’s 100th, which will come 12 years after his debut on Nov. 15, 2000, and which will make him the seventh Spaniard to reach that number (after Iker, Zubi, Xavi, Xabi, Raúl and Fernando Torres).

¡feliz navidad!

¡Feliz navidad y próspero año nuevo!  I hope 2013 brings World Cup qualification and the Confederations Cup to La Roja, and on an individual basis, I’d love to see Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos reach their 100th caps with Spain!

(Fingers crossed that the Reyes Magos are bringing me Xabi Alonso this year…)

around the world with La Roja

Well, La Roja’s last trip of the year has ended, and we won’t see the boys together again until next year.  The results left me with a bittersweet feeling, but on the other hand, that means that there’s only room for improvement as we head into the last months before the 2012 Eurocopa, right?  And we know that Spain always steps it up for official games.  Anyway, here’s a rundown of all the things that La Roja and La Rojita went through during the last week.

a full first day

Things are indeed beginning all over again, as La Roja started a new concentración on Thursday morning, their last of the year.  And it was a complete day for them, as they had various acts to attend in the morning, followed by commitments with their sponsors, a training session, and finally, the trip to London.  Meanwhile, the U-21 team was playing and dominating in Melilla.

the list for England & Costa Rica

Vicente del Bosque has called up 23 players for La Roja’s next two games, friendlies against England and Costa Rica on Nov. 12 and Nov. 15, respectively, in London and San José.  Other than Jesús Navas and Nacho Monreal returning to the team, there aren’t any other changes from previous call-ups.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, Víctor Valdés.

Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Raúl Albiol, Álvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Jordi Alba, Nacho Monreal.

Midfielders: Cesc, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Javi Martínez, Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla, David Silva, Jesús Navas.

Forwards: David Villa, Fernando Llorente, Fernando Torres.

The players are due at the Ciudad de Fútbol on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 10:30h (and Iker can visit his two old friends again; I wonder if he saw them today as well?).