WORLD CUP 2006
Spain Interview Player - Sergio Ramos
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How do you feel going into the World Cup?
Full of desire, desperate to leave a mark. We know that we can’t go there thinking we are favourites because there are lots of very good teams, so instead we will go into it with humility. We’ll take it
one step at a time.
Most people think the draw has been kind to Spain.
Maybe, but even though we have been drawn alongside countries that are less well known, we can’t afford to relax. We’ve seen in recent tournaments that teams that aren’t big names have ended up doing really well. We won’t take them lightly, we’ll be counting on them being tough opponents.
What do you know about your opponents?
Not very much at the moment, to be honest – but we will learn more about them as the tournament gets closer. We know a bit more about Ukraine because of Andrii Shevchenko and one or two other players.
What have Spain got this time that they have lacked in the past?
Nothing. I think Spain have always had what they needed. They’ve had great players at every World Cup and European Championship. The only thing that has been lacking has been that little touch of good fortune.
What makes Spain different to other nations?
I don’t think we’re different from other countries; we’re not special or unusual. We have very good players, but so do the others. There are lots of great teams and each of them has something, or someone, special about them. What we do have, though, is a nice blend of youth and experience. It’s good that we have people who have lived it all before and can help us through, while the younger players can bring that breath of fresh air, a real desire and hunger.
Does it matter that Spain aren’t among the favourites?
I think it could be good for us. Let people concentrate on other teams. We’ll arrive without that pressure, without people talking about us, and hopefully we can use that to our advantage and do something big. We’re determined to get beyondthe quarter-finals at last.
Spain Squad
1 GK CASILLAS Iker - (Real Madrid, ESP)
2 DF SALGADO Michel - (Real Madrid, ESP)
3 DF DEL HORNO Asier - (Chelsea, ENG)
4 DF MARCHENA Carlos - (Valencia, ESP)
5 DF PUYOL Carlos - (Barcelona, ESP)
6 MF ALBELDA David - (Valencia, ESP)
7 FW RAUL - (Real Madrid, ESP)
8 MF XAVI - (Barcelona, ESP)
9 FW TORRES Fernando - (Atletico Madrid, ESP)
10 MF REYES Jose Antonio - (Arsenal, ENG)
11 FW GARCIA Luis - (Liverpool, ENG)
12 DF LOPEZ Antonio - (Atletico Madrid, ESP)
13 MF INIESTA - (Barcelona, ESP)
14 MF XABI ALONSO - (Liverpool, ENG)
15 DF RAMOS Sergio - (Real Madrid, ESP)
16 MF MARCOS SENNA - (Villarreal, ESP)
17 MF JOAQUIN - (Betis Sevilla, ESP)
18 MF FABREGAS Cesc - (Arsenal, ENG)
19 GK CANIZARES Santiago - (Valencia, ESP)
20 DF JUANITO - (Betis Sevilla, ESP)
21 FW VILLA David - (Valencia, ESP)
22 DF PABLO - (Atletico Madrid, ESP)
23 GK REINA Jose Manuel - (Liverpool, ENG)
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