antes era maravilloso y ahora es espectacular

The training session

The Spanish national team trained this morning at Las Rozas for the last time, as the next session will take place in the U.S.  Yesterday’s session started with a chat in the middle of the field, and we once again saw that today, although the chat was shorter.  The players then did some physical exercises and running, before kicking the ball around.  That ended in a mini-game without goalkeepers, but then Pepe, Víctor and Iker joined in.  The possible starters – the ones who wore bibs during the session – were Iker, Sergio, Piqué, Albiol, Capdevila, Bruno, Xabi, Cazorla, Silva, Villa and Negredo.  The final result was 3-3, with Villa, Xabi and Negredo scoring for one side, and Manu del Moral, Arbeloa and Llorente for the other.  The one-and-a-half-hour session ended with a stretching segment, and a picture with all the lucky kids who got to watch the training session.

The team will fly to Boston this afternoon at 18h.  From there, they’ll head to Providence, where they will be staying during their time in the U.S., arriving around two in the morning (Spain time), or 20h (local time).

See, everything’s normal.

The press conference

Álvaro Negredo and Manu del Moral spoke to the press after the session.  They were asked about what kind of atmosphere greeted them during this call-up.  Álvaro’s response was, “the same as always.  The last time I was here, it was marvelous and now it’s spectacular.  There are no problems between the players, they have the same attitude, they’re professionals and they know how to differentiate between the national team and their clubs.”  Meanwhile, Manu said, “the atmosphere is phenomenal here.  My teammates have welcomed me with open arms, and although I’m new, I’m having a good time.  Iker Casillas and Pepe Reina told me to stay calm, because I would adapt quickly to the group since there is a phenomenal atmosphere.  I’ve had two great days, and  I can’t ask for anything more.”

The future teammates (if Álvaro stays with Sevilla) were also asked about how they found out they were called up.  Álvaro: “I found out via the club, who called me.  I wasn’t on vacation, but I did have something planned, which I brushed aside so I could be here.”  Manu: “the club told me that I could be called up.  I was in Sevilla with my girlfriend looking for a house.  It doesn’t matter to me that my vacation is postponed – hopefully it will be interrupted every year because this is the greatest thing for a footballer.”   Álvaro also expressed his pleasure at returning to La Roja.

To Boston!

Iker just posted this on his Facebook, saying that Joan will be telling us a joke shortly!  And look at Xabi there, caught unawares in the background but still looking great.

Iker then followed up with this picture, saying he and Fernando Hierro will reminisce about old times during the eight-hour long flight.  Can’t wait to see the rest of the seat assignments!

He’s still wearing that horrible watch!  What happened to the Chocrón one?

La Rojita

Meanwhile, the U-21 team trained this morning at Las Rozas as well, at the same hour as the senior team, although logically on a different field.  Just like the senior team, there was laughter and a good atmosphere at the session.  The players worked on their flexibility and tactics, before playing a mini-game.  A couple of the senior players caught a few minutes of the session.  The U-21s will have another session at 18:30h this afternoon, and after that, they’ll move into the residence.  Tomorrow, they’ll be visited by the Danish ambassador to Spain in the morning.  Please tell me that Javi (!!!), as captain, will be required to carry out certain duties, so there will be pictures of him.

Other stuff

And here are two gifs I made from David and Pepe’s collaboration with Huecco.  Pepe’s got arte!  And Sergio Ramos is the latest La Roja player to show off his musical skills – see him do his part here, using a cajón flamenco.