Rosicky ready to play for Czech Republic against Spain

Spain, who will also face Turkey and Croatia in a tricky section, were dominating worldwide football when they became the first side to claim two consecutive European titles by winning Euro 2012 two years after a maiden World Cup win. They have won two of those three, plus the 2008 European Championship under Luis Aragones that began what has been a golden era.

Indeed, Spain became the first ever nation to retain the European Championship when they won the tournament in Poland & Ukraine four years ago and the fact that those triumphs bookended a victory at the 2010 World Cup means that La Roja have won three of the last four major worldwide tournaments in which they have partaken.

As ever the Spaniards have an embarrassment of midfield riches, with Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets being veterans of past successes.

Goalkeeper David de Gea has been dragged into an off-pitch scandal while Spain have also had a troubled build-up on the pitch, leaving the European champions with much to prove in their first Group C match in Toulouse today.

Vicente del Bosque’s side were gifted a relatively straightforward path to France, being placed in a group alongside such continental lightweights as Belarus, Luxembourg and Macedonia.

Czech Republic have only been competing as an independent nation for 20 years, yet in that time the country has qualified for every UEFA European Championship.

“We are in good shape physically despite the singularity of our preparations and we ready for the tournament to start for us”, Del Bosque said. These are decisions that go over and over in your head a thousand times during the year. “If he’s not then we’ll take another decision”.

Turkey and Croatia, two other teams in Group D, will face each other on Sunday at the same venue. “They are old enough, they have passed puberty”. It would be a major surprised if the Manchester United goalkeeper did not start.

“We won’t talk about this issue”, Spain striker Aritz Aduriz said.

De Gea denied any wrongdoing and indicated he would sue those who accused him. “We had a good atmosphere in the squad and we still have a good atmosphere in the squad”.

Czech Republic’s players attend a training session. The Czech Republic are contemplating playing 35-year-old Tomas Rosicky as a false nine which points to them not being at the height of their powers.

Czech manager Pavel Vrba: “Their team is made up of the best players in the world, who play for Real Madrid and Barcelona”.

“The controversy has changed nothing”, Ramos said.

As for the persistent suggestions of friction due to club squabbles, Ramos added: “During the season everyone is with their club and there is a lot of excitement when we come together in the national team”.