Spain won its ticket for next summer's Euro Cup in the October match window, so the concentration that began on Monday in Las Rozas has had the low profile typical of someone who has already achieved their objectives and, in addition, faces to two very inferior rivals, without any interest for the average fan. The team led by Luis de la Fuente faces Cyprus today as a visitor and receives Georgia in Valladolid next Sunday with the sole objective of maintaining its current first place. Although the first two are classified directly, the advantages of leading the group are unquestionable.

Spain is now the leader of group A with 15 points, and is equal on points with Scotland. Also in the particular goal-average. What keeps the team first is the general goal-average (+15 for it compared to +9 for the Scots). It seems logical to think, therefore, that winning both games will be enough, since it does not seem sensible to think that Scotland will overcome that six goal difference in their matches against Georgia as a visitor and against Norway at home (in Glasgow).. And if these two victories are achieved, what advantages will Spain have?

Well, be seeded in the Euro Cup draw (to be held on December 2) and thus avoid the other seeds in the first phase of the tournament.. In that draw, there will be six teams in Pot 1: hosts Germany and the five leaders of the ten highest-scoring European qualifying groups.. Today, those five leaders are: Portugal, France, Belgium, England and Turkey. However, the Turks, with 16 points, only have one game left to play (against Wales), which could only reach 19 points.. Spain, for its part, would add 21 points and move into Pot 1, where it would avoid the main favorites.

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“Of course for us it is an objective,” Luis de la Fuente said yesterday, who only has four games left to face this Euro Cup, so the idea of continuing to build his block also serves to justify the importance of the clashes.. In pot 2, by the way, from which the team would escape with six points, are right now Turkey, Albania, Hungary, Slovenia and Romania, undoubtedly much smaller rivals.

“But we, beyond that, have to think that we represent a country, and that requires us to go out and win every game.”. It's not going to be easy, it never is, but I think we are prepared to face it with guarantees,” insisted the Rioja coach.. Beyond the casualties, there will be little news that De la Fuente's eleven offers this afternoon, since the block is clear. Only the annoyances of Gayá and Ferran Torres could change the plans.