National team // marca.com

Fernando Torres: Del Bosque knows he can count on me in big games

Efe. New York — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:27:40 GMT

Chelsea player Fernando Torres is "excited" at the chance of being picked today by Vicente del Bosque for the forthcoming Confederations Cup, a trophy that Spain has yet to win. "Let's hope my name is on the list," the Chelsea forward said. Leer

Isco, De Gea and Thiago travel with La Rojita to Israel

Pablo Egea / Nacho Silván — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:55:53 GMT

Expectations are high for a team which will defend its title won two years ago with players such as Juan Mata, Javi Martínez and Adrián López. Now the likes of Íñigo Martínez, Cristian Tello, Sergio Canales and Álvaro Morata will be expected to inspire 'La Rojita' to victory. Leer

Del Bosque: Iker has been obedient, disciplined and discreet

Ignacio Silván — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:11:32 GMT

"If Iker (Casillas) had asked me for advice, I would have told him to do exactly what he has done: be obedient, disciplined and discreet," Vicente del Bosque said. Leer

Casillas and I are sons of Real, even if some people dont realise it

Carlos Salas. Bogotá — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:29:19 GMT

Spanish national coach Vicente Del Bosque stood by his goalkeeper: "A true Madrid fan should really appreciate Iker. He and I are sons of the club. As for whether he will play for Spain or not, we'll see when we're all together at the camp and working." Leer

Ill say goodbye as national coach after the World Cup

Nacho Silván — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:32:38 GMT

Vicente Del Bosque made it clear that, despite the wishes of Ángel María Villar, he will be ending his career as Spanis team coach in July 2014, after defending the World Cup title. Leer

Spain to get pitch-perfect welcome at Confederations Cup

Miguel Ángel Lara — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:18:04 GMT

This coming 16th June, the Spanish national team will kick off its Confederations Cup campaign. Its debut in the competition will come against Uruguay at Recife's Pernambuco Arena, a stadium where Brazil is promising a surface like a bowling green. Leer

Del Bosque: It upsets me when some Real fans give Casillas stick

MARCA.com — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:50:39 GMT

Speaking earlier on Friday, Del Bosque noted that it "upsets" him "when some Real fans" give Iker Casillas "stick", because he is the Spain and Real Madrid captain. However, the Spain boss added that "it is for his coach to decide" whether or not he plays for his club. Leer

They wouldnt have questioned Shilton in England

MARCA.com — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:00:43 GMT

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said he thinks it is an "uncomfortable situation" in which Real Madrid captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas find himself, on not regaining his place in the side since injuring his hand. Leer

The 3 million stumbling block

Miguel Ángel Lara. Madrid — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:58:20 GMT

The Spanish Football Federation continues to work towards its mission to play the Spanish Super Cup at the Beijing Olympic Stadium. The objective is for the teams that play to be able to bank around 7 million each. Leer

Spanish Federation wants Del Bosque after Brazil 2014

Miguel Ángel Lara. Madrid — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:09:13 GMT

Spanish Football Federation presidente, Ángel María Villar, has already spoken to the Spanish coach and asked him to seriously consider the possibility of staying on as Spain's national coach after the Brazil World Cup. Leer

Del Bosque: to stay, or not to stay?

Miguel Ángel Lara — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:01:02 GMT

Del Bosque couldn't think of anything else to say when, at the national team's pre-match preparation hotel in Gdansk, Spanish Football Federation Secretary, Jorge Pérez, almost had to force him to finally sign his contract renewal. Leer

Rajoy gives Pope a Spain shirt

MARCA.com — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:46:25 GMT

Pope Francis gave Mariano Rajoy an audience at the Vatican, where he was accompanied by his wife. The Spanish president gave the pontiff a Spain football shirt signed by the players. Leer

Del Bosque has faith in Casillas

MARCA.com — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:11:59 GMT

Del Bosque seems undeterred by Mourinho's decision not to start Casillas.The Spain manager told journalists in the town of Carboneros (Jaén) that the Real goalkeeper would return to the 'La Roja' squad once he has fully recovered from the injury. Leer

Government to oppose Spain-Gibraltar clashes

MARCA.com — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 17:37:52 GMT

At the present time the Spanish Government is not considering the possibility that an official football match could be staged between Spain and Gibraltar, and says that if the scenario arises it will oppose it "by all political means possible". The British colony could be admitted as a full member of UEFA in May. Leer

Spain also rules in the qualifying phases

Miguel Ángel Lara — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:17:03 GMT

"La Roja" has sown in to its shirt the coveted star of the present World champions, is the first ever national team to have one two European Football Championship cups on the trot (2008 and 2012), and is also the only national team to have won three major cups back-to-back. Stuff to be proud of, without doubt. Leer

David and Goal-iath

Miguel Ángel Lara — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:59:51 GMT

When David Villa talks about goals and goalscorers he does so with the authority of someone who has made scoring goals a way of life. 'El Guaje' has witnessed Pedro embark on a spectacular goal charge of his own in the Spanish shirt. Leer

Del Bosque: It was a triumph for the maturity of our players

MARCA.com — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:27:43 GMT

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque was very happy with his side's 1-0 victory over the French in Paris on Tuesday. "The most important thing was the three points and it was also a triumph for the maturity of our players, we've had an uncomfortable few days at the possibility of being five points behind France", the coach said. Leer

Paris pays homage to the magic of Iniesta

Miguel Ángel Lara — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:03:51 GMT

Andrés Iniesta can add a new notch to his list of standing ovations after the crowd at Saint-Denis paid tribute to him after he was brought off for Juan Mata in injury time on Tuesday. A large part of the home crowd took advantage of the opportunity to show their gratitude at witnessing Iniesta's performance in person. Leer

Bring on Brazil

MARCA.com — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:41:24 GMT

Never before in football history has the world champion been deprived of the chance to defend its title. Faced with the prospect of becoming the first such team, Paris was a test Spain simply had to pass. It did so with flying colours, putting in a supremely solid performance and grabbing the three points through Pedro in what was a gruelling, highly tactical encounter. Leer

Pedro: Monsieur Goal

Arch Bell — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:05:53 GMT

Any time that Spanish national team needs a goal, there's really only one man to turn to: Pedro. The Canarian's 58th minute goal was just another example of how clutch this player has been for La Roja of late. Leer

Spain paints Paris red all over

Miguel Ángel Lara. Paris — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:05:50 GMT

The clash with France in Saint-Denis was special for many reasons, but above all, it was the first time Spain had faced such a crunch fixture since the World Cup in South Africa. For the occasion, 'La Roja' decided to wear a brand-new, all-red strip - a different take on the idea of red carpet treatment. Leer

Casillas rails at ref Kassai

MARCA.com — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:05:12 GMT

Iker Casillas kept close tabs on the France-Spain match from the stands, in the company of María José Claramunt, the Spanish FA's head of marketing, and Jorge Carretero, the association's spokesman. Leer

Spains penalty appeal falls on deaf ears

MARCA.com — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:52:38 GMT

In the 31st minute of the France-Spain match, Spanish forward Pedro ran into the area and fell when challenged by Hugo Lloris. The Spanish players surrounded referee Viktor Kassai, demanding a penalty, and also a red card for Tottenham Hotspur's French goalkeeper. Leer

Spain ruffled by Saint-Denis pitch

MARCA.com — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:33:11 GMT

The Spanish football delegation, led by Vicente del Bosque, was left up in arms at the state of the pitch at Paris' Stade de France. Leer

Hollande and Rajoy watch match together

MARCA.com — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:11:05 GMT

François Hollande and Mariano Rajoy watched the France-Spain encounter together in the presidential box at the Stade de France. Prior to kick-off, the France president and Spain prime minister met at the Elysée Palace, where they nailed their respective colours to the mast. Leer