Spanish revel in the spotlight

Lozano's lot
Coach Javier Lozano has wisely decided to stick with his winning formula in Ostrava as he seeks to add the European crown to the world title. The Azzurri may have loosened the Spanish hold on the UEFA European Futsal Championship two years ago, but few would bet against them coming out on top this time around. Indeed, a group stage defeat by Italy two months ago was Spain's only loss since the 2003 European showpiece.

Hometown honour
Further examination of Spain's figures under Lozano show a series of results that have been nothing short of impressive. Since taking the post in 1992, his teams have lost just eight out of 167 games. It is no wonder that the coach recently had a sporting arena named after him in his hometown of Toledo.

Daniel return
The coach's recipe for success is simple. "If you have a team of players that function very well, why start meddling with it?" he argued. However, it is no surprise that the 28-year-old Interviú Boomerang FS winger Daniel has reclaimed his place after recovering from a knee injury that cost him a trip to the Far East. Dropping out is Pipe, who has suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Solid keeping
There is no debate about who will guard Spain's goal. Boomerang custodian Luis Amado was one of the shining stars in Chinese Taipei. Further forward, his club-mate Andreu will be another key figure, with the 29-year-old having recently surpassed Vicentín Martínez's historic tally of 57 goals for the national team.

Opening matches
Spain start the tournament on 14 February against Group B adversaries Hungary - a rival they have met nine times previously. Their last meeting was a double friendly in May 2002 with Spain emerging victorious in both games. Iberian neighbours Portugal are next up the following day and pose sterner opposition.

Taipei repeat
The contest which has really caught the imagination is the final Group B encounter on 17 February when Spain must repeat the form they showed in Chinese Taipei in that 2-1 final defeat of Alessandro Nuccorini's Italy. Although both teams may well have qualified for the semi-finals already by then, it is sure to be a fiercely contested occasion.

Fully focused
There is no sign Spain will leave anything to chance, with a series of friendly games organised for Lozano to fine-tune his selection and tactics. For the undoubted favourites to go all the way, the Spanish will know they will still need to be at their best to break down the resolute defences that are sure to stand in their way.

How they qualified
Surprisingly, mini-tournament hosts Spain needed goal difference to edge out Slovenia and claim first place in Group 4. The Spanish made a spectacular start by seeing off Finland 13-0 on 29 January 2004, a hat-trick in the first ten minutes from Cogorro and four second-half Jordi Torrás goals the highlight in Spain's biggest win since March 2002. Two days later, Spain beat Lithuania 4-0; Fran Serrejón, Jordi Sánchez, Javier Orol and Jordi Torrás the scorers. On 1 February against the Slovenians, Spain needed just a draw and managed it with a 3-3 scoreline after goals from Marcelo, Fran Serrejón and Andreu. However, only a last-gasp save from Luis Amado denied Slovenia their third victory in a row and a place in Ostrava.

Futsal founded: 1982
World ranking: 1
Best international performance: FIFA Futsal World Championship winners 2000, 2004; UEFA European Futsal Championship winners 1996, 2001