all set for Italy!

Spain takes on Italy tonight in a friendly at the Vicente Calderón (Madrid) at 22h.  There are several things of note about this game.  It is the last time La Roja is together before the concentración for the World Cup begins on May 26, the game will serve as a tribute to the late and great Luis Aragonés and as the stage for the debut of the new black jerseys, and of course this will be the first time we see Diego Costa in the shirt of Spain.  All eyes have been on him the entire week, although I have to admit mine were focused on Azpi’s dimples instead!

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

During the last concentración back in November, the boys filmed their holiday messages.  With 2014 being a World Cup year, it was no surprise that the shiny gold trophy was mentioned time and again.

I do hope that 2014 will bring us many successes, including of course the World Cup.

all set for Finland!

Spain takes on Finland tonight (20:30h) in its sixth (out of eight) qualifier for the 2014 World Cup.  At present, Spain leads Group I with 11 points, followed closely by France with 10 points (France will play Georgia tonight).

all set for Brazil!

Spain will be taking on Brazil in the final of the Confecup (Monday, 00h) after beating Italy following an agonizing penalty shootout that luckily had a happy ending.

Hopefully we’ll be able to pull off another Maracanazo and add to our trophy collection the only one that has resisted us so far!

all set for Nigeria!

Spain takes on Nigeria today (21h) in Fortaleza in its third and final game of the first round of the Confecup.  The players who started the first game against Uruguay will most likely return (or stay on in the case of Sergio Ramos), while Víctor Valdés will take over the goal.  To finish atop Group B (and face Italy), Spain needs at least a tie.

ICYMI – Spain vs. Tahiti

Well, I think Tahiti has become my favorite rival out of all those whom Spain has played.  The reason is not because Spain managed to score 10 goals, but rather for what happened before the game and after the game.  Plus, the Tahitians got many of our boys to remove their shirts, so how could we not love them?

all set for Tahiti!

I won’t get around to La Rojita’s campeones post until later this week, so in the meantime, here’s one on La Roja, who takes on Tahiti today (21h) at the legendary Maracanã in Rio in their second game of the Confederations Cup.

like little kids in a candy store

It was so fun seeing many of the players of La Roja like little kids when they attended what was for most of them their first ever NBA game!  They talked about how excited they were, they posed for pictures with everything from trophies and rings to players, the stadium and each other, and they watched with rapt attention as the Spurs beat Miami 92-88 to go up 1-0 in the series.  I think they had a good time, even the Heat fans!