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Camp Focus - Spain - Capel and Jeffren push for final places but Milla unlikely to alter line-up
La Rojita can now breathe a little easier knowing qualification for the 2012 Olympic Games in London has been accomplished, although it was a close-run thing after Belarus held the lead for almost an hour in Wednesday’s semi-final before Spain ran out 3-1 winners after extra-time.
As reward for achieving their objective, and to maintain the remarkable team spirit and togetherness shown within the group, the Spanish Football Federation (FEF) has stated that for next year’s tournament – which runs from July 26 to August 11 as an Under-23 competition – there will be no over-age players added to the current squad despite rules permitting a maximum of three. This means those born in 1988 will be able to participate even though they are at present representing the Under-21side, which in Spain’s case means just five players: Juan Mata, Javi Martínez, Adrián López, Diego Capel, and Jeffren Suárez. Given that the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine will also be taking place next year, some members of the squad, particularly full internationals such as Mata and Martínez, could well miss out unless asked to double up, which would not go down too well with their clubs.
Six members of the Spanish squad have already played in the finals of a major international games competition. Ander Herrera, Didac Vila, José Ángel, Emilio Nsue, Dani Parejo, and Alberto Botía were all members of the squad which contested the 2009 Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. On that occasion Spain defeated the host nation 2-1 in a final that went to extra-time.
However, of more immediate concern is Saturday’s final in Aarhus against Switzerland - themselves extra-time winners over the Czech Republic - where a Spanish victory would complete a memorable double for a squad which had the weight of pre-tournament favourites on its shoulders. Coach Luis Milla is almost certain to name the same team again, although either Diego Capel or Jeffren could push for a place in the starting line-up after making such an impact as substitutes in engineering the comeback against Belarus.
Both players were the authors of vital assists for two of the Spanish goals and Capel analysed his contribution, saying: “I needed to feel like a team member again, and despite not starting I knew my role was to come on and hopefully help the team. I am always ready and was very happy to have contributed to the comeback.” Capel has played just 73 minutes so far, with Jeffren contributing 130, and the Sevilla winger added: “When we were warming up I said to Jeffren ‘now is our moment’. And so it turned out.”
All the same, Milla will look to Adrián López to continue his predatory instincts in the final, the Deportivo la Coruña striker having scored five goals in four games. Despite off-the-field distractions linking him with a move to Atlético Madrid, López has flourished in Denmark and his contribution could well prove vital again, while his teammates may well have to adopt another patient approach.
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