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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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1-Iker Casillas
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(Real Madrid) Born: 20.5.81 Caps: 13 Goals: 0
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Was out of the Real Madrid team and looking likely to have to settle for a place on the bench for the World Cup as well before a remarkable reversal of fortune at the end of the season. Came on late in the Champions League final when Cesar was injured and pulled off a string of fine saves to help secure Real's victory and a few days later a freak injury to Santiago Canizares promoted him to the Spanish squad's number one. Has an uncanny ability to faze the opposition in one-on-one situations but he remains suspect on crosses.
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13-Ricardo
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(Valladolid) Born: 30.12.71 Caps: 1 Goals: 0 |
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Former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper who likes to come out and dominate the penalty area. Started the season in excellent form and was rewarded with a first full cap at the age of 29 in Spain's 1-0 win over Mexico in November last year.
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23-Pedro Contreras
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(Malaga) Born: 07.01.72 Caps: 0 Goals: 0 |
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A late call-up to replace Santiago Canizares, Contreras is agile on his line and confident in the air. Looked an excellent prospect in the Real Madrid B team and did not disappoint when he was called upon a few times in the 1998-99 season. Could not gain a regular place in the starting line-up, though, and moved on to Malaga, where he has excelled.
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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15-Enrique Romero
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(Deportivo Coruna) Born: 23.06.71 Caps: 3 Goals: 0 |
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Attacking left-back who has been rewarded for a series of eye-catching displays for Deportivo in the Champions League.
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2-Curro Torres
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(Valencia) Born: 27.12.76 Caps: 4 Goals: 0 |
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Born in Germany, Torres signed for Valencia in 1997 and moved on to Tenerife before rejoining the Mestalla set-up this term. Very solid and can make a useful addition to the attack.
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3-Juanfran
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(Celta Vigo) Born: 15.07.76 Caps: 7 Goals: 0 |
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Tireless left-back who has been a model of consistency for Celta since joining from Valencia's Cup winning side in 1999. Has looked comfortable in the national team when called upon.
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20-Miguel Angel Nadal
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(Real Mallorca) Born: 28.07.66 Caps: 59 Goals: 3 |
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A veteran of World Cups in 1994 and 98, has found a new lease of life since moving to Mallorca in 1999. Looks to be Camacho's preferred option to partner Fernando Hierro at centre-back.
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5-Carles Puyol
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(Barcelona) Born: 13.04.78 Caps: 8 Goals: 1 |
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Shaggy-haired right-back whose performances for Barcelona have been the highlight of the season for the Catalans. Faultless in defense and a growing threat going forward as he gains in confidence. Can also fill in at center-half.
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6-Fernando Hierro
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(Real Madrid) Born: 23.03.68 Caps: 85 Goals: 27 |
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Spain's most capped outfield player and, incredibly for a defender, the country's leading international goalscorer, thanks to a willingness to get forward, a fierce shot and his role as penalty-taker. A towering presence at the heart of the side since 1989, this will be his fourth World Cup.
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19-Xavi
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(Barcelona) Born: 25.01.80 Caps: 2 Goals: 0 |
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Groomed as Pep Guardiola's successor at Barcelona, he has recently performed the same patient, ball-playing role for Spain. |
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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11-Javi de Pedro
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(Real Sociedad) Born: 04.08.73 Caps: 5 Goals: 1 |
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Classy left-sided midfielder who made his international debut back in 1998 but was swiftly dropped from Camacho's plans. His form for Real Sociedad this season has been exceptional, though, and he won a deserved recall for the recent friendly against Portugal and has not looked back.
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14-David Albelda
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(Valencia) Born: 01.09.77 Caps: 2 Goals: 0
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Uncompromising midfielder whose partnership with Ruben Baraja was fundamental to Valencia's run to the Spanish title.
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8-Ruben Baraja
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(Valencia) Born: 11.07.75 Caps: 9 Goals: 3
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Move from Atletico Madrid to Valencia in 2000 soon saw him promoted to the national side, where he has looked a promising alternative to Pep Guardiola and Xavi in central midfield. His midfield partnership with Albelda could be transferred from club to country.
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4-Ivan Helguera
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(Real Madrid) Born: 28.03.75 Caps: 22 Goals: 2
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One of Real Madrid's most consistent performers since joining from Espanyol in 1999. Happiest playing a creative role in midfield but can also cover at center-back.
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22-Joaquin
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(Real Betis) Born: 21.07.81 Caps: 3 Goals: 0 |
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Skilful right-sided midfielder who came through the highly regarded youth set-up at Real Betis. Made a promising debut for Spain in February's 1-1 draw with Portugal, bringing comparisons with Luis Figo.
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16-Gaizka Mendieta
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(Lazio) Born: 27.03.74 Caps: 32 Goals: 7 |
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Basque midfielder who has had a frustrating time at Lazio since his big-money move from Valencia over the close-season. Has always performed well for Spain, though, and is a brilliant striker of the ball who Camacho could well use in his starting line-up.
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21-Luis Enrique
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(Barcelona) Born: 08.05.70 Caps: 57 Goals: 12
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Played for five years at Real Madrid, mostly in defense, before joining Barcelona in 1996. Has since emerged as Spain's most complete midfield player -- a fine passer of the ball, a tenacious tackler and with a knack of scoring important goals. Was sorely missed when injury ruled him out of Euro 2000.
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17-Juan Carlos Valeron
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(Deportivo Coruna) Born: 17.06.75 Caps: 20 Goals: 0 |
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Ball-playing midfielder who has been keeping the Brazilian Djalminha out of the Depor team. Failed to shine in his first major tournament at Euro 2000 and will be desperate to make up for that disappointment in South Korea and Japan.
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18-Sergio
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(Deportivo Coruna) Born: 10.11.76 Caps: 5 Goals: 0 |
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Another busy midfielder who has impressed in the Champions League for Deportivo after joining from Espanyol last year.
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