Spain, winning a cup? Sí, se puede

Carles Puyol and Spain come into Euro 2008 fresh off a 1-0 win over the U.S. Wednesday. Scott Bales/Icon SMI Jonah Freedman's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Jonah. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Jonah Freedman on Twitter

If it's international-tournament time, that means Spain is officially on red alert. For all of the quality players and international prestige Spain has earned over the years, its national team still can't win when it counts. Its best finish at the World Cup was way back in 1950, when La Furia Roja finished fourth.

Spain's history at the European Championship is a little better -- it won the tournament once, in 1964, and lost to France in Paris in the '84 final. Still, that's not a lot of silverware to show for the country that consistently produces some of the best players in the world. So forgive the casual Spanish fan for feeling a little skeptical when his national team is being touted as one of the favorites to win the 2008 European Championship. That's like the kiss of death.

But hope hasn't been this high in years. Spain's '06 World Cup team predictably flamed out in the round of 16 to eventual finalist France, but the youth movement the team enjoyed seemed to herald a change in things to come. Players like Fernando Torres, Cesc Fàbregas, David Villa and Sergio Ramos seemed to show no knowledge of Spain's failings at the international level.

SI.com recently caught up with one of the team's cagiest veterans -- wily 30-year-old center defender Carles Puyol -- to discuss why things could finally be different for Spain at Euro 2008.

SI.com: Do you get the feeling that it's going to be different this time around?

Puyol: The national team always has great players and great coaches; we always have high confidence, but we've never done anything important. This is what we have to change. What we have to work on are the small details, and that's how we'll improve. But I believe we have a great team now with high confidence -- if we stay focused, we'll do well.

SI.com: You believe Spain can finally win the cup?

Puyol: Yes, I do. Our mentality is that we can attain to the maximum of our ability. There's definitely pressure because we know we're not the favorites, but we're of the mindset that we can win it. What we need to do is stay a team. What we have is a team full of players who, individually, are of the highest quality. But what's most important is the team. If we stick together -- and get a few breaks -- I believe Spain can win it.

SI.com: How hard is it to be a Spanish fan?

Puyol: I think being a Spanish fan is a bit like being a fan of Barcelona [where Puyol serves as captain]: Your team is always either the best or it's a disaster; there's never any middle ground. But the team always qualifies for the big tournaments, and knows its fans are always with them. As players, they always support us. We have to continue to earn their respect.

SI.com: Many fans are pinning their hopes on this new generation of young players. How important will their contributions be?

Puyol: All the players are important. We have a lot of good, young players and a lot of smart veterans, all whom are of high quality and are ready to give the maximum. But yes, we expect the young guys will be big contributors and we have a lot of confidence in them. No matter what in these tournaments, you always need a little bit of luck, because any player can have a bad game at any time. If this team has a bad day, we'll all pay for it. We play a brand of football that is very offense-minded and very complicated.

SI.com: The biggest controversy heading into Euro '08 was Luis Aragonés' decision to leave former captain Raúl off the roster. Do you think he should be with you?

Puyol: It's the decision of the coach, and I respect that. Raúl is a great player, a great professional and a great captain. When he was our leader, I supported him then, too. But our coach made a decision he believes is best for the team. The truth is that Raúl is 30 years old, and there are younger players who can do what he does. I have to respect the decision. [Keeper] Iker Casillas is our captain, and I respect him -- we all respect him -- as our leader.

SI.com: I've heard it said that you could be Spain's version of Fabio Cannavaro at the '06 World Cup -- a veteran who doesn't get the headlines but has the ability to carry a team on his back to titles.

Puyol: Cannavaro is an example for all of us. He's a great player, a great leader and he has done great things for Italy. To be compared to him is an honor. I hope to lead by example by giving 100 percent to this team and do all I can do. I can only hope I can do half the things for Spain that Cannavaro has done for Italy.