Spain determined to bounce back from shock defeat
Tiredness, injuries, suspensions and plain bad luck were the reasons given by Spain for their shock 1-0 loss to Greece on Saturday, their first home defeat in a qualifying match in almost 12 years.
Tiredness, injuries, suspensions and plain bad luck were the reasons given by Spain for their shock 1-0 loss to Greece on Saturday, their first home defeat in a qualifying match in almost 12 years.
"We knew that this could happen to us one day," said Spain captain Raul. "I can't wait for the next match because I am convinced that this was just a piece of bad fortune and that we are a much better side than Greece."
A stunning 20-metre shot from midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos a minute before halftime in practically their only attacking move of the match gave Greece a famous win over the Group Six leaders.
Spain last lost a qualifying match at home back in October 1991 when France beat them 2-1 in a European championship qualifier in Seville.
Coach Inaki Saez, who was experiencing his first taste of defeat since taking over from Jose Antonio Camacho after last year's World Cup, hinted that tiredness was one of the factors that influenced his side's disappointing performance.
"We weren't our usual selves out on the pitch and lacked that extra spark," he said. "Despite that we still dominated throughout, but we will have to look carefully at why this happened and analyse our mistakes."
A number of commentators also pointed to the fact that Spain had been hit hard by the absence of three key midfielders.
The dynamic Ruben Baraja was suspended, the versatile Real Madrid player Guti had to pull out through injury and Real Sociedad playmaker Xabi Alonso was forced to withdraw at the last minute because of a throat infection.
With Ukraine grabbing a 4-3 injury time win over Armenia also on Saturday, the Greek victory throws the group wide open.
Spain continue to lead the group on 10 points, but are now just one ahead of both Ukraine and Greece, who meet each other in Athens on Wednesday.
Despite his disappointment Saez is still confident that his side will get their qualification campaign back on track with a win over Northern Ireland in Belfast on Wednesday.
"We still depend on ourselves, but now it is even more important for us to win in (Northern) Ireland."