After an exciting second half beating Russia last night, Spain goes on to attempt their first UEFA Euro Championship in 44 years on Sunday evening. Spain played in the "EuroCopa" 24 years ago but lost then. Hopefully this time around the outcome will be different.

Last night's game was really something. EVEN *I* enjoyed it! The second half was full of hard-press offense and some good defense and 3 exceptional goals which made me shout and laugh with disbelief.

It was even interesting to see Prince and Princess of Spain sharing an unusually, outwardly jubilant time at the game. They jumped up, they hugged each other and shook hands and gave kisses to those around them. These two are going to be true exceptions to the Royal Rule when they become King and Queen of Spain in a few short years. They seem to be REAL people - or people of the people. They get excited, they laugh, they cheer, they show affection. It was nice to see. I don't know if Felipe and Leticia will be attending the final on Sunday or if the King and Queen will be there as they've attended some of the recent matches. Or maybe they'll ALL be there. It even seemed to me that there was what seemed to be bullet-proof glass in front of their row - or maybe it was just Plexiglas.

Best of luck to the Spanish Team in the UEFA Euro 2008 on Sunday at 8:45pm!! Remember that people can listen live on any one of the many Spanish radio stations on MadridMan's Spain Radio, TV, Music, & Movies page. It won't be televised online, however, just broadcast on radio.



Saludos, MadridMan

Yeah it was good to see the younger generation Royals being "normal " but I have to say that King Juan Carlos was very animated at the Sweden game ... It's the same in UK Prince William is the future of our monarchy .. And it just happens that Felipe of Spain is friends with William .. Or so i've heard .
So Spain to meet Germany ... It's huge !! The mother of all parties will happen here , in Madrid , if Spain win on Sunday .
And they deserve to win .. THE most entertaining team in the competition .. But it does look like we'll be without Villas .. That's a blow .

from a foreigners point of view the blow to Villas is a blessing in disguise in my eyes, you now have to pick the magician who is Cesc Fabrigas what a genius on the ball, when he came on after 20mins the whole game changed, and Spain LOOKED like a great team,but i must admit there is quailty all through the team (although im not a great lover of Iniesta)and one or two players have now come of age and have transformed the Spanish team, in a way its a pity this tournament is not the world cup because i believe Spain would have a great chance of winning that, maybe in two years the team will be even stronger.
yes it is nice to see "straight faced people" letting there hair down and being able to enjoy themselves in public, after all they are human beings good on them i say.
Hope you enjoy your winning party just wish i could be there it will be fantastic, but never mind i shall watch the game at home with my dog on my lap with an ice cold San Miquel
GOOD LUCK SPAIN

Everyone thinks they could be the manager billy I've been going on all tournament to anyone that would listen that Cesc should start instead of Xavi, and Guiza for Torres, who simply hasn't produced.

Also prefer Ramos in the middle of defence, although for me he was man of the match against Russia at right back.

I think they'll win, they've been the best team so far all tournament.

hey Jamongris
i reckon id be a great manager i ve never been wrong yet!, the amount of times ive put Bolton Wanderers right on a monday morning if only they would do it my way

Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!....Ole!...Ole!!......1-0 Espana!

Woo! Woo! I so wish I were in Madrid to enjoy the biggest party on earth right now!
I am sure noone is posting in Spain right now, as the party everywhere has consumed a whole society!

Como me gustaria estar alli con vosotros! :jump: :jump:

WooHoo!! That was an exciting game. The entire second half had me on the edge of my seat. Wish we could be there now!

Question: After the game, Ramos had a green and white flag on him. What flage was it? I couldn't really see it on the broadcast here.

Congratulations Spain! Viva España!
I can well imagine the party in Madrid today! I too wish I were there!

OOOOOOOLÉ, OOOOOOOLÉ!!!

Vicki, Ramos dressed himself with the Andalucian flag and a t-shirt with a photo of Antonio Puerta, a 22-y-o friend and colleague of his from the Sevilla team, that suddenly colapsed and shortly after died of a heart attack during a game last year.

BTW, the first "hug/no-hug" between the princes in the game against Russia was the weirdest thing!
And poor Reina Sofia was really trying but she couldn't get a kiss from her hubby last night :-(

>After the game, Ramos had a green and white flag on him. What flage was it? I couldn't really see it on the broadcast here.


Well, it is the Andalusian flag. I respect his attitude, but I think that - in that place and moment- it was totally out of place and quite "pueblerina" or "cateta".

Enhorabuena Espana! Fantastic performance - not just last night but the whole tournament in which, let's not forget, Spain won all of their 6 matches.

Must've been some party over there last night/this morning/today - I hope the euphoria will still be lingering in the air when I arrive in Madrid in a couple of weeks time!

Hey puppyfeat, I too hope the ambiente will be festive and last through the summer (I get to Madrid on the 16th).
I've been watching TVE international for glimpses of the parties all around Spain, and it pains me that I booked this years trip at the END of July! (First time we are going at the end of July, we have ALWAYS been in Madrid in late June)!

Have you guys seen the scenes at Barajas airport .. Total chaos and excitement !

Have you guys seen the scenes at Barajas airport .. Total chaos and excitement !

Si! TVE Internacional is broadcasting special with Espana Directo! Wow, i actually got choked up when the Cup exited the plane!

Keep us posted on the festivities!

WOW. What a final and what a celebration taking place now on the Plaza de Colon with all the players and trainers and 10s of thousands of people filling the plaza to cheer on their champions.

laduque, I TOO got choked up with the broadcast and the slow-bus was entering the Plaza de Colon, all the celebrations and proud moments. Wow. It's just wonderful. Good for them. I know that TVE24horas is broadcasting online all the festivities too.

Congratulations SPAIN!! :jump:

Saludos, MadridMan - proud to be one of "The New Spaniards"

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/europe/2008-06-29-germany-spain_N.htm

I was IN Plaza de Colon ... The excitement was incredible , and when the bus came in the people went completely loco ... I'll remember these last few days forever ... Steve

Congratulations to the UK fans for this victory, specially to the Reds from Liverpool, they are so lucky to have four Spanish players in their team.

Spanish National team:

Goalkeepers:
Andrés Palop Cervera(Sevilla F.C. S.A.D.)
José Manuel Reina Páez(Liverpool F.C. )
Iker Casillas Fernández(Real Madrid C.F.)

Defenders:
Raúl Albiol Tortajada(Valencia C.F. S.A.D.)
Joan Capdevila Méndez(Villarreal C.F. S.A.D.)

Carles Puyol Saforcada(F.C. Barcelona)
Sergio Ramos García(Real Madrid C.F.)
Juan Gutiérrez Moreno(Real Betis Balompié S.A.D.)
Carlos López Marchena(Valencia C.F. S.A.D.)
Álvaro Arbeloa Coca(Liverpool C.F.)
Fernando Navarro Corbacho(R.C.D. Mallorca)

Midfielders:
Marcos Antonio Senna Da Silva(Villarreal C.F. S.A.D.)
David Jiménez Silva(Valencia C.F. S.A.D.)
Xavier Hernández Creus(F.C. Barcelona )
Andrés Iniesta Luján(F.C. Barcelona )
Francesc Fabregas Soler(Arsenal F.C.)
Xabier Alonso Olano(Liverpool F.C.)
Rubén de la Red Gutiérrez(Getafe C.F. S.A.D)
Sergio García de la Fuente(Real Zaragoza S.A.D.)
Santiago Cazorla González(Villarreal C.F. S.A.D.)

Forwards:
David Villa Sánchez(Valencia C.F. S.A.D.)
Fernando José Torres Sanz(Liverpool F.C.)
Daniel Gonzalez Güiza(R.C.D Mallorca S.A.D.)

Hi guys!

I think it's quite difficult to imagine the magnitude of the celebration without seeing some pictures:

Oh, it looks like it was so much fun! Thanks for posting the photos. My friends and I went to our local favorite Spanish restaurant which was packed with people, mostly Spaniards, watching the game intensely. Everyone wore their Spain jerseys and had their faces painted red and yellow. It wasn't the same as being there, but it was a nice substitute! There was a lot of celebrating at the end of the game. :jump:

Thanks Fernando .... I had a great time in Plaza de Colon .. Will have to check all MY photos , but those you posted are great !... The sense of occasion was huge . You could've cut the atmosphere with a knife .. I'm still a bit crazy about the whole thing .. AND my Spanish flag continues to fly from my terrace > It's been there since day 1 of the football .

I unfortunately missed the live coverage of the Spanish team meeting and greeting the Royal Family at the Zarzuela (Royals' Residence) yesterday morning but saw the video of it later. The King seemed surprisingly affectionate and casual, hugging all the players as they passed down the line.

To no surprise to anyone, I understand there will be a DVD video available of all the EUFA Euro 2008 Championship series highlights. I doubt that's something I'll need to own but maybe it'll be shown on TV at some point.

Saludos, MadridMan

I'll buy it anyway MM and lend it to you !

hehehe... Thanks steve robinson!!! :thumbup: