Spain ready for a torrid time in freezing Norway

Although freezing conditions are likely to greet them in Oslo, Spain are still expecting to be given a torrid time when they face Norway in the return leg of their Euro 2004 playoff on Wednesday.

Despite a vibrant attacking display Inaki Saez's side emerged with a narrow 2-1 advantage after the first leg in Valencia and still have a lot of work to do to secure a place in next year's European championships.

"They are going to pressure us all the time because they have to win," goalkeeper Iker Casillas told sports daily As on Tuesday. "They have to go in search of a goal and are bound to shower our area with long balls."

"But I am convinced that we are going to score. Spain have to be in Portugal and it hasn't even entered my head that we are going to miss out."

Real Betis winger Joaquin, who transformed his side's attack when he came off the bench in the last 15 minutes of the first leg, said he was confident that Spain would be able to cope with Norway's more direct style of play.

"Norway have to try and win this time round but they will still adopt their usual style of packing their defence, resorting to long balls and hoping to catch us off guard," he said.

"We also have to go for the win and play our own game, but they aren't as good as us and we are capable of coming away with a very good result."