SPAIN ON XABI ROAD TO SEMIS

Magicians well on way to repeat trick

- KEITH WEBSTER

SPAIN'S hopes of winning Euro 2012 had received a huge blow even before a ball was kicked they were the defending champions.

Since its inception in 1960, no team had made a successful defence of the European title - and in Poland and Ukraine it was Spain's turn to carry the burden.

But if it has to be carried, perhaps it feels a little lighter when your manager can pick a side from players including Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres.

Not only were Vicente del Bosque's team reigning European champions, two years earlier they had added the World Cup to the trophy cabinet and their free-flowing, attacking football was a threat to any team, bad omens and superstitions aside.