Spain, winning a cup? Sí, se puede

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.