
Fernando Hierro will be Spain’s manager for the 2018 World Cup after it was announced the former Real Madrid and Bolton man would replace Julen Loptegui just two days before the tournament kicks off.

Fernando Hierro will be Spain’s manager for the 2018 World Cup after it was announced the former Real Madrid and Bolton man would replace Julen Loptegui just two days before the tournament kicks off.

Alvaro Morata has missed out on a place in Spain’s squad for the World Cup in Russia, with Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin also omitted by Julen Lopetegui.

Iberian cousins Spain and Portugal look set to battle for top spot in Group B at the 2018 World Cup.

While it’s certainly good news for Luis Enrique that his star man will not be eating porridge, the ruling still has the potential to disrupt the Catalan giants and their superstar over coming two seasons.
The Panenka looks at the EU probation measure and what that means for the five-time Balon d’Or Winner and the La Liga club.

Goodbye is never easy when you’ve played up front together at Stadio delle Alpi. However, there will be no love lost when these two meet at the European Championships.
In anticipation of the titanic clash between La Roja and Azzurri in the knockout stage at Euro 2016, The Panenka discusses the future of the two strikers who look likely to be separated next season.

The winner of this classic international all-star clash will be granted progression to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals where either Germany or Slovakia will be waiting.

Spain entered Euro 2016 shrouded in controversy and with a hangover from their dire performance at the 2014 World Cup looming large. While many have written off the latest group of La Roja players, is there really much difference between the squad now and the one which lifted the European Championship in 2012?
The Panenka compares Vicente de Bosque’s triumphant 23-man squad of 2012 to that of this summer’s European competition.

The reigning champions launch their quest to complete a hat-trick of European Championship titles against an adventurous Czech team in a game which should be easy on the eyes.

Euro 2000, hosted by Netherlands and Belgium, staged some fascinating matches that summer. Among them was England losing 3-2 to both Portugal and Romania, Yugoslavia’s 3-3 draw with Slovenia and when the Netherlands missed two normal-time penalties before missing a few more and losing on spot-kicks to Italy in the semi-final.
The next installment of The Panenka’s Greatest Games of The European Championships series harks back to a time when Yugoslavia was still a country. To a seven goal thriller between Spain and Yugoslavia where a place in the knockout stage was up for grabs for the winner.
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This time four years ago we were sat around calling one of the best teams in the history of football boring because a) they won all the time and b) were so good that it wasn’t fair. Fast forward to today and after a disastrous 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Spain’s untouchable reputation has somehow been reduced to rubble. Despite all this, the reigning champions will undoubtedly be difficult to stop and anyone who pulls La Roja out the hat in the office sweepstake will have every reason to be confident.
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