Spain left-back
Joan Capdevila stressed Thursday that the team wants to get to the
quarter-finals of Euro 2008 "as soon as possible," hopefully when it
plays Sweden Saturday in Innsbruck.
The defender said Sweden is "the most difficult rival" for Spain in Group D, where they already beat Russia 4-1 and are also set to play defending champion Greece.
"The good thing was to start well, because the first game is crucial. We
have done that and we have scored many goals against a team that was difficult.
If we win Saturday we will have qualified, and we want to get to the
quarterfinals as soon as possible," Capdevila said.
"We know Sweden is a tough rival, with very powerful strikers, but I am
sure they will fear us a little, forces will be even," the Villarreal
defender said.
Spain already played Sweden in the qualifying round for the tournament. The
Swedes won in Stockholm and Spain won in Madrid.
Betis defender Juanito said it would be "logical" for coach Luis
Aragones to select the same team Saturday that he used against Russia.
"When a team is working, it is normal to repeat the team, or almost. The
rest of us are expectant and ready to seize the opportunity," he said.
Striker Sergio Garcia, also on the bench against Russia, agreed.
"(Aragones) will repeat the team because colleagues did well and you
change few things when everything goes well," he noted.
Spain players also referred to Fernando Torres9 apparent anger at being taken
off the pitch on Tuesday.
"It is not that important, it is normal that he gets angry. But he should
keep it for himself and not make gestures for everyone to see," Juanito
said.
Torres was substituted by Cesc Fabregas in the 54th minute against Russia, following a good first-half performance. Game superstar David Villa ran to hug him
when he scored his third goal of the night, noting that Torres looked
"sad."
A day later Aragones made it clear that he would speak to the Liverpool striker
about his behaviour.
"I understand that he gets angry, but only one day, that9s all,"
Aragones said.
Sergio Garcia denied that the incident was worth a great deal of attention.
"We are all very close, all of us. There was nothing, these things happen.
No one is angry. We all like to play all the time," he said, according to dpa.