a look back at 2014

This year, 2014, wasn’t the best one for La Roja (that may be an understatement) as it will always be remembered for that spectacular collapse in Brazil.

In 2014, Spain played 12 games, winning seven, mostly against weaker teams (Italy, Bolivia, El Salvador, Australia, Macedonia, Luxembourg and Belarus) and losing five (the Netherlands, Chile, France, Slovakia and Germany), with 22 goals scored and 12 allowed.

the list for Belarus and Germany

Vicente del Bosque has announced the list of call-ups for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus (Nov. 15, 20:45h at the Nuevo Colombino in Huelva) and the friendly against Germany (Nov. 18, 20:45h at the Balaídos in Vigo).

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Kiko Casilla.

Defenders: Juanfran Torres, Gerard Piqué, Raúl Albiol, Sergio Ramos, César Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra.

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Koke Resurrección, Santi Cazorla, Cesc Fàbregas,* Juan Bernat, Raúl García, Ignacio Camacho, José Callejón, Isco Alcarcón, Bruno Soriano*.

Forwards: Pedro Rodríguez, Paco Alcácer, Manuel “Nolito” Agudo, Álvaro Morata.

the list for Slovakia and Luxembourg

Vicente del Bosque has announced the list of players called up for the upcoming Euro qualifiers against Slovakia (Oct. 9, 20:45h in Žilina) and Luxembourg (Oct. 12, 20:45h, Luxembourg City).

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Kiko Casilla.

Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Juanfran Torres, Gerard Piqué, Raúl Albiol, Sergio Ramos*, César Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra*.

Midfielders: Ander Iturraspe, Sergio Busquets, Koke Resurrección, Andrés Iniesta, Santi Cazorla, Cesc Fàbregas, David Silva, Juan Bernat, Raúl García. 

Forwards: Rodrigo Moreno, Pedro Rodríguez, Diego Costa, Paco Alcácer.

the list for France and Macedonia

Spain’s first games since the World Cup disaster are coming up.  They are a friendly against France in Paris on Sept. 4 (21h), followed by the first qualifier for the 2016 Euro, which will be against Macedonia on Sept. 8 in Valencia (20:45h).  This list of players called up was announced today.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Kiko Casilla.

Defenders: Juanfran Torres, Dani Carvajal, Mikel San José, Sergio Ramos, Marc Bartra, Jordi Alba, César Azpilicueta, Raúl Albiol.

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Ander Iturraspe, David Silva, Koke Resurrección, Cesc Fàbregas, Andrés Iniesta,* Isco Alarcón, Santi Cazorla.

Forwards:  Pedro Rodríguez, Diego Costa, Paco Alcácer, Raúl García.

Fernando Torres – El País 2014 World Cup Q&A

The always delightful Fernando Torres was the next person subjected to the El País Q&A.

I’m sad that Spain’s early elimination means we won’t get around to all of the players before the team goes home.

Who scored the first goal of the World Cup competition?  A Frenchman, Laurent.

Which player has scored the most goals in the history of the World Cup?  Ronaldo.

well…

… we all knew it would end one day, we just didn’t expect it would end in this fashion.  It was beautiful while it lasted, and I have no doubt that while this may be the end of a cycle, a new one is on the verge of beginning.  I mean, look at how talented and exciting our next generation of players are!  They will play wonderfully with the current team.

And I have to thank this current generation of players for giving us six years of not only beautiful football, but also camaraderie, union and teamwork.  And let’s not forget the tremendous joy we got each time they hoisted up a trophy.  Gracias, muchísimas gracias.

¡todos con La Roja!

Let’s do it again Spain, let’s win tonight!  ¡A por ellos!

I miss those dark blue jerseys.

Pedro Rodríguez – El País 2014 World Cup Q&A

Pedro was the next one in the hot seat, and he got a lot of answers right, including, unsurprisingly, the one about his birthplace.

Who scored the first goal of the World Cup competition?  I don’t know.

Which player has scored the most goals in the history of the World Cup?  Ronaldo.