Keeping faith with old favourites
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Your support makes all the difference.1 Andoni Zubizarreta Valencia
Veteran captain and a commanding goalkeeper, first-choice for more than a decade (Age 34, 106 caps).
2 Juan Lopez Atletico Madrid
Good season at left-back for the champions, added to squad at last moment due to injury to Ferrer (26, 6).
3 Alberto Belsue Real Zaragoza
Right-back who played a major role in his club's Cup-Winners' Cup triumph last year (24, 12).
4 Rafael Alkorta Real Madrid
Strong central defender, more skilful than he looks. Endured a mixed season with Real (28, 35).
5 Abelardo Barcelona
Has combined well at club level with Sergi and Nadal. Always threatening at set pieces (26, 18).
6 Fernando Hierro Real Madrid
Tough guy in midfield or defence. He boasts a lethal shot, has scored 11 international goals (27, 41).
7 Jose Amavisca Real Madrid
Only just back from injury, left-sided forward who was ever-present in Real Madrid's '94-95 title side (24, 10).
8 Julen Guerrero Athletic Bilbao
Creative midfielder with a powerful shot, may struggle after missing much of season through injury (22, 22).
9 Juan Antonio Pizzi Tenerife
Naturalised Argentinian, made debut for Spain in 1994. Opportunist goal poacher and fine penalty-taker (27, 11).
10 Donato Deportivo La Coruna
Naturalised Brazilian who acts as a powerful link-man between defence and midfield. Debut aged 31 (33, 11).
11 Alfonso Real Betis
Former Real Madrid striker who missed going to USA 94 because of a severe knee ligament injury (23, 10).
12 Sergi Barcelona
Quick and strong under pressure, has had a fine season on the left side of Barcelona's defence (24, 18).
13 Santiago Canizares Real Madrid
Became a hero when replacing sent-off Zubizarreta in World Cup qualifier against Denmark in 1994 (27, 9).
14 Kiko Atletico Madrid
Top scorer in Spain's 1992 Olympic side, has had an outstanding season up front for the champions (24, 8).
15 Jose Luis Caminero Atletico Madrid
Had a fine World Cup in 1994. An energetic playmaker who was once rejected by Real Madrid (28, 18).
16 Jorge Otero Valencia
The most surprising name when squad was announced. A fine season in defence for league runners-up (27, 8).
17 Javier Manjarin Deportivo La Coruna
Skilful right-sided player capable of accurate crosses. Member of victorious 1992 Olympic squad. (26, 6).
18 Guillermo Amor Barcelona
Experienced defensive midfielder whose consistent form has earned him a recall to the squad (28, 18).
19 Julio Salinas Sporting Gijon
Tall, veteran striker who shields the ball well in the area. Often criticised for his poor first touch (33, 54).
20 Miguel Angel Nadal Barcelona
Aggressive, volatile centre-back, suspended for first two matches. Was sent off during 1994 World Cup (29, 30).
21 Luis Enrique Barcelona
Moved from Real Madrid last month, a utility player most at home on the left side of midfield (26, 22).
22 Jose Molina Atletico Madrid
Consistent goalkeeper for Atletico - but made international debut as substitute striker against Norway in April (25, 1).
SPAIN
The team
Compared to their club sides, Spain are great under-achievers. If they fail to lose that label here, coach Clemente will be taken to task for retaining some ageing players and not promoting the likes of Raul Gonzalez and Ivan de la Pena from the Under-21 side. The pick of an experienced squad could well be the versatile Hierro, a real strong man.
The coach
Javier Clemente launched his coaching career when injury ended his playing career at the age of 24. Took Athletic Bilbao to the League and Cup double in 1983 and Espanol to the Uefa Cup final in 1988. National coach since 1992. Has been accused of favouring players from his Basque homeland.
The fact file
Previous appearances in finals: 1960 (quarter-finals), 1964 (winners), 1968 (quarter-finals), 1976 (quarter-finals), 1980 (first round), 1984 (runners-up), 1988 (first round).
Qualifying record: W8, D2, L0 (Group Two winners).
Top scorer in qualifiers: 4 Hierro.
Most appearances in qualifiers: 10 Nadal, Zubizarreta.
Population 39.6m. Registered clubs 12,421. Registered players 470,500. Professional players 2,300.
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