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Goalkeepers
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Andoni Zubizarreta
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(Valencia), age 36, 123 caps
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Veteran
captain who has been first choice since 1986 but place is now
under threat. Not the best penalty saver and can be vulnerable
in one-on-one situations. The World Cup will almost certainly
mark the end of his international career.
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Santiago Canizares
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(Real Madrid), 28, 9 caps
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Spain's hero
when Zubizarreta was sent off in a 1994 World Cup qualifying
match against Denmark, he has spent most of his time on the
bench since joining Real Madrid. May join Valencia next season.
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Jose Molina
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(Atletico Madrid), 27, 1 cap
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The third-choice
keeper plays practically as a sweeper behind the Atletico
defence, making him occasionally vulnerable to long shots. His
only cap came as an improvised centre forward two years ago.
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Defenders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Sergi Barjuan
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(Barcelona), 26, 32 caps
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Quick, strong and a
real dynamo on the left side of the defence. Regular first
choice for Spain. Has scored several long range goals for
Barcelona this season.
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Miguel Angel Nadal
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(Barcelona), 31, 43 caps
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Strong,
uncompromising central defender, or improvised midfielder who
moves up well for corners. Sometimes let down by a lack of pace.
Has kept his place for Spain despite hardly playing for
Barcelona this season.
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Abelardo Fernandez
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(Barcelona), 28, 39 caps
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Competent
central defender who is strong in the air at both ends of the
pitch. Another Barcelona man who has struggled for a place at
the Camp Nou this season.
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Albert Ferrer
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(Barcelona), 27 (28 on June 6), 33 caps
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Right-sided defender who makes up for his lack of height with
terrier-like determination and has fought his way off the
Barcelona bench in recent weeks. Won an Olympic gold medal at
the 1992 Games.
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Rafael Alkorta
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(Athletic Bilbao), 29, 48 caps
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Experienced
international who combines well with Fernando Hierro. Has
struggled at the heart of the Athletic Bilbao defence after
signing from Real Madrid in the close season.
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Fernando Hierro
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(Real Madrid), 30, 55 caps
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Tall and
powerful, he is a defensive lynchpin but sometimes plays a
supporting role in midfield for Spain. Has a powerful shot from
free-kicks and his useful with his head at set pieces. Recently
hit by injury and loss of form.
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Santi Denia
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(Atletico Madrid), 24, 2 caps
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Quick central
defender who is new to coach Javier Clemente's plans but may pay
the price for Atletico's defensive weakness this spring.
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Carlos Aguilera
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(Atletico Madrid), 28 (29 on May 22), 4 caps
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Fast right-sided defender who supports well down the
flanks. Has blossomed since rejoining Atletico from Tenerife
last season.
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Roberto Rios
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(Athletic Bilbao), 26, 11 caps
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His size make
him a force to be reckoned with at the back and a powerhouse
coming forward but he can sometimes look clumsy. Signed for
Athletic from Real Betis for two billion pesetas ($12.9 million)
in 1997.
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Ivan Campo
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(Mallorca), 24, 1 cap
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The shaggy-haired central
defender has led Mallorca to their best-ever season and won his
first cap against Sweden in March. Currently on loan from
Valencia, he looks set to move to Real Madrid.
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Agustin Aranzabal
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(Real Sociedad), 25, 5 caps
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Left-sided
overlapping defender who is quick to join the attack. Recently
reappeared in Clemente's plans after over a year out of the
side. Only likely to play if Sergi is injured.
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Midfielders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Luis Enrique Martinez
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(Barcelona), 27 (28 on May 8), 35 caps
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Hyperactive utility player who normally plays just behind
the attack at international level and has rediscovered his goal
touch for Barcelona. Arguably Spain's most in-form player.
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Julen Guerrero
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(Athletic Bilbao), 24, 30 caps
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Creative
player with powerful shot coming forward, but dogged by
recurring injury problems. Failed in the playmaker role in the
1994 World Cup. Enjoys heart-throb status amongst Spanish
teenagers.
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Guillermo Amor
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(Barcelona) 30, 32 caps
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Dependable
midfielder known for scoring vital goals, such as the winner
against Romania in Euro 96. Yet another Barcelona man who finds
favour with Clemente despite failing to hold his place with his
club.
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Josep Guardiola
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(Barcelona) 27, 23 caps
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Another Olympic
gold medallist, Guardiola is the man who can really make Spain
play. Muscular injuries have hampered him and his absence would
be a major loss. Has spent time recuperating this year in a
secret hideout in France.
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Fernando Sanchez
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(Real Betis), 26, 2 caps
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Left-sided
midfielder who has struggled at Betis since signing from
Valladolid over the summer. His international call-up was a
surprise.
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Emilio Amavisca
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(Real Madrid) 26 (27 on June 19), 15 caps
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Right-sided midfielder who has hardly played this season because
of injury and tough competition at club level. Failed as an
improvised left-back in his last international performance.
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Albert Celades
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(Barcelona), 22, 0 caps
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His success in the
playmaker role at Barcelona in Guardiola's absence earned him a
surprise call up. Likely to be discarded from the final 22 if
Guardiola recovers.
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Forwards
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Juan Antonio Pizzi
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(Barcelona), 29 (30 on June 7), 20 caps
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Big centre forward and one of the leading scorers in Spain over
the past few seasons, but woefully short of match practice after
being totally overlooked at club level this season.
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Kiko Narvaez
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(Atletico Madrid), 25 (26 on April 26) 19 caps
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Surprisingly skilful for a big man, should provide the ideal
foil to Morientes or Alfonso. A provider rather than a
goalscorer, but tends to find the target at crucial moments. An
Olympic medallist in 1992 and the joker of the team.
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Raul Gonzalez
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(Real Madrid), 20 (21 on June 27), 12 caps
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Left-footed striker with great vision and maturity who often
plays a support role behind the target men. Hopes to recover
from an injury-wracked season to become Spain's star in France.
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Alfonso Perez
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(Real Betis), 25, 25 caps
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Has good skills,
with exceptional vision and aerial power despite slight build.
Has lost some of his goal touch this season. Normally wears
white boots.
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Fernando Morientes
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(Real Madrid), 22, 1 cap
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Initially
struggled at Real after signing from Zaragoza. Made an
extraordinary debut against Sweden in March with two goals in
the first five minutes. Skilful on the ground, and heads well.
Often wears red boots.
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Joseba Etxeberria
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(Athletic Bilbao), 20, 3 caps
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Strong in
the air, with a good shot and sense of opportunism, but lacks
touch. Scored on his debut against Romania last November.
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Oli Alvarez
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(Real Betis), 26, 2 caps
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Oli must have the
shortest legs in the Spanish first division, but attracted
Clemente's attention with his goals at Oviedo last season. Has
since struggled alongside Alfonso at Real Betis.
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Benjamin Zarandona
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(Valladolid) 22, 0 caps
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Plays an
energetic support role behind the front pair at Valladolid, and
is known for his turn of speed. Was a surprise inclusion in
Clemente's list of 29 players in April.
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