day 30 – enjoying the great outdoors

June 22, 2010.

The players had the morning and afternoon free, and many took the opportunity to go out and about.  Or maybe catch a movie – perhaps The A-Team, if we’re to judge by the above picture?  And it’s so nice to see the boys out of their national team gear and back in normal clothes, especially if they look as good in them as Xabi Alonso (effortless) or Raúl Albiol!  Álvaro Arbeloa has too much going on up top for me to like his outfit.

Side note:  the three of them are just about dressed exactly as they were watching tennis in Madrid back in May (and also together).  Look at this photo, courtesy of Dona da Bola, and compare it to the one above.  Xabi Alonso: dark v-neck sweater, white button-down shirt and jeans.  Álvaro Arbeloa: leather jacket with red and white trim, t-shirt and jeans.  Raúl Albiol: hoodie sweatshirt, jeans.

Sergio Ramos revealed yesterday to José Ramón de la Morena on El Larguero that the players (he didn’t say how many though) went to a nearby river (he doesn’t remember the name) and had a barbecue and partook in some archery and other activities (!!! Sergio says Busquets is the best at archery).  They were able to disconnect, check out the beautiful view, and enjoy the sunny and not too cold day.  Sergio said they had a lot of fun.  Where are the pictures???

We also find out that he is still in charge of music for the team, and right now on the bus they are playing the Shakira’s World Cup song and something else along the lines of “Se Parece Más A Ti.”

Vicente del Bosque held a press conference where he praised Navas (he’s Spain’s best winger and had a good game), Busquets (if I were a player I’d want to be like Busquets… he does everything) and Xabi (he defends, attacks, shoots, passes).  Of the last two, he also said it was like having two coaches on the field, and that they’re attentive to everything.

The training session took place at 19h in the late afternoon, and lasted for one hour.  None of the starters from the Honduras game, with the exception of Iker Casillas, took to the field.  Instead, they worked out in the gym.  Andrés Iniesta was able to train normally with his teammates.

After that, they had dinner and watched the other games, including the Argentina and Nigeria games.

Joan Capdevila also gave an interview yesterday, where he said “I won’t ever say no to my national team, even when I’m 50 years old.”  Of Iker, he described him as “not only a goalkeeper, but something more.  Our flag, the captain, our leader.  He gives a lot.”  He added that no one on the team is doubting Iker.

Meanwhile, Cesc talked with AS, and David Villa allowed himself to be interviewed by RTVE.  Watch it here.