“Spain Prepares in Black Forest Peace Ahead of Germany Clash”,From the peace of the Black Forest, Spain are blocking out both a growing cacophony back home.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain have the only perfect record at the tournament, scoring nine goals and only conceding one – an own goal against Georgia – in four straight wins.
“Obviously, you can’t ignore it. Messages come through,” said forward Mikel Oyarzabal of the buzz and excitement in Spain.
“We are trying a bit to stay on the margin. We’re in an atmosphere that couldn’t be better, to be quiet, to prepare the game as well as possible,” he added in a news conference from the team’s luxury hotel in an idyllic rural setting outside the small town of Donaueschingen.
Oyarzabal, who has so far been used as a substitute for Spain, said his team mates were relaxed but working hard and not at all over-confident due to increased expectations.
“Now they say we’re favourites, but three or four weeks ago, nobody was saying it,” he said.
“We believe in our ability to compete against any team. Now that some consider us favorites, we won’t let up. We’re staying focused, working diligently, and preparing thoroughly for Friday.”
Remarkably, Germany’s last competitive win over Spain was in 1988. Oyarzabal was on the scoresheet in a 6-0 Nations League hammering four years ago, but he said that meant nothing now, with Germany also looking in fine form at the Euros.
“Germany are a great team, you don’t need me to tell you that. They’ve started the tournament really strong, it’s going to be a tough game,” he said.
Despite enduring long and challenging seasons with cup runs and league commitments, Oyarzabal assured that the team is in good physical condition.
