Vorstellecke » ] . "Last year didnt go the way we wanted

With Euro 2016 fever set to grip the continent, Guillem Balague assesses holders Spains chances of winning a third consecutive European Championship crown, as well as picking his dark horses to lift the trophy. A shock defeat to Georgia in their final warm-up game gave the 2008 and 2012 winners food for thought before they travelled to France on the hunt of an unprecedented Euro treble.With question marks hanging over Vicente del Bosques goalkeeping and attacking options, coupled with a lack of creativity in midfield, Sky Sports Spanish football expert offers his thoughts on his nations hopes... Spain stutter in preparations Tornike Okriashvili hit the winner as Spain lost their final pre-Euro 2016 warm-up match Even though it was a friendly, losing against Georgia is considered one of the worst defeats in the history of the Spanish national team. As Del Bosque said, it was the perfect game to galvanise everybodys interest and to end preparations on a high note but none of that happened, despite a strong team being fielded.What happened instead was Georgia, as is going to happen with many teams at Euro 2016, defended really deep. There were no spaces, in part to Spain not creating any, but there are no excuses as Spain have to work harder to create those spaces. Sky Sports Euro 2016 predictor Make your predictions with our interactive wall chart here You do that by moving the ball around quickly, not by playing long but by playing to their strengths with depth on the wings and with full-backs that surprise instead of simply being there - a lot of things that didnt happen against Georgia.I had a suspicion that, having won so much, there seems to be less interest, and pressure, for Spain to win. That is lethal. I get the impression Spain need new answers and a new way of doing things, sometimes coaches run their course and something new is needed. Georgia inflicted one of the worst defeats in Spanish football history, says Guillem Balague I dont know who will be the next coach and I could of course be proven wrong, it just feels teams have worked Spain out and it will even be difficult to come out of the group.Decisions, decisions, decisions... Who will Vicente Del Bosque pick - Iker Casillas or David de Gea? As far as the debate for the Spanish goalkeeping position is concerned, for me it should be David de Gea. However, even people that know Del Bosque closely dont know what he is going to do. Iker Casillas hasnt had a great season but, in fairness, thats the least of Spains worries.Even who will be number nine is the least of Spains worries, I think it will be Alvaro Morata, fitness permitting. The problems concern whether Spain play enough football to beat the kind of defences that lie in wait in France. Nolito key for Spain? Hes not the biggest name in Spains squad but Nolito could be a crucial figure at Euro 2016. At the moment, Del Bosque is playing with one central midfielder but he may decide to play Bruno Soriano alongside Sergio Busquets. I just think the three in front of the holding midfielder have to improve their movement and passing. Balagues Spain starting XI (4-1-4-1) De Gea Juanfran Ramos Pique Alba Busquets Silva Fabregas Iniesta Nolito Morata 2008, 2012, 2016...?Spain will compete in France because theyve got the players, they will reach the quarter-finals for sure but after that, who knows. But... need I mention the 2014 World Cup? Unless the team increases the intensity both in passing and in recovering possession, we will find it very hard to beat sides. Spains run of three consecutive tournament victories ended with a group-stage exit in Brazil Dark horses? Spain find themselves paired with two of the tournaments dark horses in Croatia and Turkey. Croatia have got great quality with Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric in midfield, as well as players with proven European pedigree in Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic and Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic. Luka Modrics Croatia are aiming to spring a surprise at Euro 2016 If Turkey progress through the group, they could do damage. They have a lot of quality up front but are generally a very balanced side.I like the look of Austria and Im intrigued to see Bayern Munichs David Alaba deployed in central midfield. They also have Stokes Marko Arnautovic and Leicesters Christian Fuchs, who weve seen can handle pressure.Recent tournament underachievers Belgium come to mind. Its not like Spain pre-2008, but there is so much potential there with the likes of Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku that if they work together, even with Vincent Kompany missing, it could be a good opportunity to prove how good this generation of players is. Eden Hazard (left) and Romelu Lukaku feature in a star-studded Belgium squad When it came to the key moments in tournaments over the past few years, Belgium didnt seem to be strong enough mentally. That is a problem theyll have to address. But, with Belgium neighbouring France, perhaps Marc Wilmots side can benefit from some added home support. Also See: Euro 2016 Fixtures Latest video Tables Mike Alstott Jersey . "Last year didnt go the way we wanted it to, but we need to look at what went well and what didnt go so well. Hopefully this year we will be better," Brendan Gallagher said after practice. This year, the Canadiens have a little more depth to work with by adding players like Daniel Briere, Dale Weise, Mike Weaver, Douglas Murray and arguably, the biggest addition to this playoff roster, Thomas Vanek, who the Canadiens were able to land at the trade deadline. Cheap Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys . The Tinkoff-Saxo rider was still dealing with the right shin he broke in a crash which ended his Tour de France on Stage 10. He hoped to defy his doctors and race in the home Grand Tour he won in 2008 and 2012, but he says there have been complications in his recovery. http://www.cheapbuccaneersjerseysauthentic.com/. Today, their baseball playing sons were reportedly traded for each other. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Cubs dealt minor league outfield Trevor Gretzky to the Angels for catcher Matt Scioscia. Jamel Dean Jersey . -- Derek Jeter spoke for 25 minutes, 44 seconds and answered 26 questions about his decision to retire at the end of this season. Buccaneers Jerseys China Cheap . His brother — Red Lake chiropractor Richard Radford — is en route to Sochi to cheer on his younger brother. "Ive been getting texts from Eric and he just says the atmosphere is amazing, its special,” he said. TOKYO -- Milos Raonic has withdrawn from Canadas Davis Cup team with an ankle injury. The Thornhill, Ont., native, who is ranked 11th in the world, said hed hoped he would be ready when Canada begins its World Group first-round tie against Japan in Tokyo on Friday. "This decision was very difficult to make but I believe in the players on our team and that they can get us the win," said Raonic in a statement Thursday. "With a team scenario the most important part this week is to come out with a team win and I believe this is the best way too do it.dddddddddddd" Raonic will be replaced by fellow Thornhill native Peter Polansky. He joins Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., Daniel Nestor of Toronto and Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil. Dancevic, ranked No. 119 in the world, and the 135th-ranked Polansky will play a pair of singles matches against No. 18 Kei Nishikori and No. 140 Go Soeda. Pospisil and Nestor will step onto the hard court at the Ariake Coliseum in a doubles match against Yuichi Sugita and Yasutaka Uchiyama. Canada reached the Davis Cup semifinals in 2013. 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