Spain start treble bid under sex-scandal cloud
AFP, Paris :
Defending champions Spain kick-off their Euro 2016 against the Czech Republic on Monday, bidding for a third straight European crown, under a sex scandal cloud.
Accusations against Manchester United shot-stopper David De Gea have thrown Spain’s preparations into turmoil as they prepare to face the Czechs in Toulouse in Group D.
Elsewhere, the battle to survive the pool dubbed Euro 2016’s ‘group of death’ begins when Ireland play Sweden at the Stade de France, before Belgium play Italy in Lyon in Group E.
Vicente del Bosque’s Spain are chasing a treble of European championship titles when they start their campaign against the back-drop of their off-field woes.
De Gea is vying with 167-cap veteran and captain Iker Casillas, a hero of Spain’s three consecutive major championship triumphs between 2008 and 2012, for a starting place.
The 25-year-old has strongly denied allegations that he organised a party at which two women were forced to have sex with two footballers. The storm has taken the focus of Spain’s arrival in France away from football. The team say they are backing De Gea but he will not find out if he has a place until just before the game.
Spain have won their last three meetings with the Czech Republic and Del Bosque’s side are on an eight-game competitive winning streak. Spain have a crop of young talent coming through and Andres Iniesta says the team has the quality to go all the way to the July 10 final.
Defending champions Spain kick-off their Euro 2016 against the Czech Republic on Monday, bidding for a third straight European crown, under a sex scandal cloud.
Accusations against Manchester United shot-stopper David De Gea have thrown Spain’s preparations into turmoil as they prepare to face the Czechs in Toulouse in Group D.
Elsewhere, the battle to survive the pool dubbed Euro 2016’s ‘group of death’ begins when Ireland play Sweden at the Stade de France, before Belgium play Italy in Lyon in Group E.
Vicente del Bosque’s Spain are chasing a treble of European championship titles when they start their campaign against the back-drop of their off-field woes.
De Gea is vying with 167-cap veteran and captain Iker Casillas, a hero of Spain’s three consecutive major championship triumphs between 2008 and 2012, for a starting place.
The 25-year-old has strongly denied allegations that he organised a party at which two women were forced to have sex with two footballers. The storm has taken the focus of Spain’s arrival in France away from football. The team say they are backing De Gea but he will not find out if he has a place until just before the game.
Spain have won their last three meetings with the Czech Republic and Del Bosque’s side are on an eight-game competitive winning streak. Spain have a crop of young talent coming through and Andres Iniesta says the team has the quality to go all the way to the July 10 final.
