Aragones believes Spain can win Euro 2008

MADRID, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Spain have improved in recent years and are close to going all the way in a major tournament, coach Luis Aragones has said.  'Until now teams like Italy, France, Brazil and Argentina have been better than us, but every day Spain are closing on them,' Aragones said in an interview with sports daily Marca on Tuesday.

 'I think we are closer (to winning a major title). Of course we have a chance to win Euro 2008 but to do that we have to know how to compete well. 'I now have the experience from the World Cup and also I think we are as good as the best and just need that little slice of luck.' Spain impressed in the group stage at the World Cup in Germany last year before an early exit to eventual finalists France, losing 3-1 in the second round. They endured a shaky start to qualifying for Euro 2008 but came through strongly at the end winning their last four matches to take the top spot in Group F. They have been drawn in Group D for the finals in Switzerland and Austria next year, along with holders Greece Sweden, and Russia. Spain, whose only major honour is the 1964 European title, were shock first-round casualties under Inaki Saez at Euro 2004 in Portugal.

spain imo have one of the strongest sides in the world. they just seem to collapse when they reach the dizzy heights of any football final (euro or wc). lets just see how they go next year in the euro. and oh, i believe the dutch national team is similar.

But the dutch have a less talented team...Van Basten seems headed to Ajax ~ hope he can improve them to a force in Europe again..miss them

its going to be hard for dutch teams like ajax and psv to become forces. bigger clubs buy their talent then they have to produce more.

"Aragones believes Spain can win Euro 2008"

do the players tho? Everyone always "believes" Spain can achieve something, but they never do. Despite producing generation upon generation of class players.

its just a matter of time till spain can finally click and win a major tournament. aragones believes this is it. he is showing a very positive attitute and so he shuld.

Two things:

Ajax do not have to sell players to improve or survive financially ~ Follow a Lyon model of success at home.  Ajax have the financial foundation to build on success as they always have done through their youth systems and local talent.  Huntelaar is good enough as well as a few they have currently.  They perhaps have more youth academies than Chelsea with a world-wide brand, so if they approach teams in Brazil, Argentina and so on throughout Africa and South America, they will get players even if they only spend 2 or 3 seasons and move on.  Moreover, several returning dutch players would appreciate playing for Ajax in their latter years as subs and support players.

This is Spain's best ever team i think..at least most developed and mature with talent and production obvious.  Aragones is perhaps the main weakness in this team, but lately i found he finally grew a spine to make major necessary changes in order to improve Spain's chances. 

Raul was out of form for years and never should've been allowed to start so many games for Spain during that period.  Real Madrid is not Spain and players like Pavon and so on NEVER should've gotten international caps.  He changed that and dropped players like Guti and Helguera who were living off the Madrid phenomena.  This bias selection of players always leads to a country's underperforming in competitions.  Take for example, Brazil last World Cup, England always, Argentina and so on who lost miserably through biased selections based on status and not form.  Brazil, Italy, Germany and so on were successful selecting players across the leagues based on their performances no matter what teams they played for. 

This is what Aragones finally changed and I expect him to be among the Semi-finalists or Finalists as reward for his courage and newly grown spine and strength.

but does raul deserve his spanish spot now? i believe so. and will puyol still be captain?

I guess, on form, Raul deserves his spot, but what goes around comes around and Raul is experiencing what other strikers were going through while he was shirking the goals and botching the job.

Puyol, naturally, has to remain Captain, because you're changing a winning formula too much by doing otherwise.  Raul achieved very little as a leader of the team besides his goals and thus, Puyol's prowess should remain rewarded.  Furthermore, at the end of the season, it is perhaps a sureity that some consistent performers should be looked at...Tamudo looks the part, as well as Aguero...Valencia's failings may cost David Villa his starting role although his free kick taking ability cannot be taken for granted.

The way i see it, Raul may not do his self any favours if Spain fail subsequent to his reintroduction to international football for the next world cup.  Raul is only touted around because of his status at Real Madrid and that should not be allowed, since players like Torres and Villa have been performing more consistently over the last few years.  Capello might very well be right, because it definitely seems as though he saved Raul's career.  Hopefully, Ronaldinho doesn't have the same problem for the same length of time, because he's not Spanish

Gregory:

I guess, on form, Raul deserves his spot, but what goes around comes around and Raul is experiencing what other strikers were going through while he was shirking the goals and botching the job.

Puyol, naturally, has to remain Captain, because you're changing a winning formula too much by doing otherwise.  Raul achieved very little as a leader of the team besides his goals and thus, Puyol's prowess should remain rewarded.  Furthermore, at the end of the season, it is perhaps a sureity that some consistent performers should be looked at...Tamudo looks the part, as well as Aguero...Valencia's failings may cost David Villa his starting role although his free kick taking ability cannot be taken for granted.

The way i see it, Raul may not do his self any favours if Spain fail subsequent to his reintroduction to international football for the next world cup.  Raul is only touted around because of his status at Real Madrid and that should not be allowed, since players like Torres and Villa have been performing more consistently over the last few years.  Capello might very well be right, because it definitely seems as though he saved Raul's career.  Hopefully, Ronaldinho doesn't have the same problem for the same length of time, because he's not Spanish

true. and even though they are playin poorly i still think he will get his national team spot.

barca-real!

watch this!

laporramasgrandedelmundo.com

is del horno still part of the spanish national team? and if he aint who is the lb?

This would be my spanish team.

                                  Casillas

       Sergio Ramos(CB)---Puyol(CB)---Pablo Ibanez(CB)

                             Xavi Hernandez (DM)

        Cesc Fabregas(CM)-----------Mikel Arteta(CM)

                             Andres Iniesta(OM)

Jesus Navas(OMR)----------------------------Fran Yeste(OML)

                            Fernando Torres(FW)

not bad. i'd like to see a 4-4-2 instead.

------------------------------------------------Casillas--------------------------------------------------

--------Sergio Ramos----------Puyol (VC)-------------Ibanez-------------------Del Horno----------

-----------Navas----------------------Fab------------Iniesta / Xavi------------------Silva----------

-------------------------------Torres-----------------------Villa / Raul (C)----------------------------------