Spain v Scotland

[tartantruck]

Just wondering if anyone in Spain has heard any talk of a possible game in May? Rumours on the Scottish fans web say a possible game in May, perhaps in Valencia as a warm up for Spains world cup campiagn!

[Simon]

Not heard anything, myself . . . but will keep eyes (and ears) peeled! 

[CrackedPleasures]

Well, you got your game, although with some delay. Scotland and Spain are in the same group for the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Should be a nice game, the Scottish fans always cause banter wherever they go. Would be cool to have the game here in Camp Nou (although given politics and such the Spanish NT rarely plays here so it will probably not be here).

In theory Spain should win this group, Scotland finishing second ahead of the Czechs. The glory days of Czech football are long over, the team's been performing quite mediocre since some key players retired from the national team, so Scotland shouldn't fear them. Can't see neither of both forming a threat to Spain though.

Beware Liechtenstein though, the dark horse in this group!! 

[tartantruck]

Quite happy with the draw. Obviously Spain should sail through this group, but could be an interesting fight for second. Some nice trips to look forward to, especially Spain. Any thoughts on the venue for the Scottish game? Hopefully one of the big grounds to accomodate as many as possible.

[CrackedPleasures]

Well, Spain cruised through the qualifiers now (which were quite interesting ones for me, being a native Belgian and having lived in Turkey before) but this was quite exceptional. Remember the qualifiers for Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006? I was living in Belfast at the time, and Spain somehow managed to lose to Northern Ireland in that campaign (ironically 3 days after that same N.Ireland lost 0-3 to Iceland with me being in the skybox at the stadium that night)

I mean, Spain are not untouchable, although the current generation is a very strong one so they're obviously favourites for the nr 1 spot. Scotland and the Czechs to battle for nr 2 but I see Scotland as favourites there. Czech Republic saw many good players retire and has to re-build a squad. I saw some games from the Czech league live at the stadiums (I know, not necessarily an indication as some good players play for foreign teams) and the level was very poor. Scotland should overcome that one.




Venue?

I wish I could say Barcelona because I'd be very much willing to watch the game against Scotland, atmosphere-wise it should be a great one. However, given the political views of many locals here, the Spanish FA tends to select venues in cities that are more friendly to the Spanish crown. So my bet would be one of the Madrid stadiums, maybe Sevilla being an option as well.