UEFA Euro 2012

The reigning European and World Champions are again favourites to lift the coveted trophy.

With several of the players that won the World Cup two years ago, coach Vicente del Bosque’s squad looks strong, mighty strong, especially in midfield. But you never know in football!

A defensive error, a lucky bounce, a diverted free-kick, a wrong decision by the referee… and bang, a goal, one down and you’re up against it.

The Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, who has been sidelined for a month, hopes to be fit but his team-mate from the Nou Cam, striker David Villa (who last December fractured his right tibia) will not be taking part in the action.

Del Bosque’s squad will certainly include three goalkeepers – Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool) and David De Gea (Manchester United). His key defenders will be Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) and Juanfran (Atletico Madrid) and of course Puyol.

Ramos will play centre-back if he doesn’t make it.

In midfield, it will be any four from the Barcelona quintet of Iniesta, Xavi, Ces Fabregas, Busquets and Pedro, Santiago Cazorla (Malaga), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Isco (Malaga), Benat Etxebarria (Real Betis), Javier Garcia (Benfica), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal) and David Silva (Manchester City).

And with no Villa up front, Spain will be hoping the goals will come from Chelsea’s Fernando Torres (one of the fittest players around right now and eager to show what he can STILL do), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Adrian Lopez Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) and possibly Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente who has had an excellent season.

The form of Xavi and Iniesta will also be crucial to Spain’s success but I will not be at all surprised if the defence gives away a goal or two when least expected.

No country has ever won back to back Euro Cups. No country has ever won three major tournaments in a row.

Can Spain make history? I say no – let someone else celebrate victory.

Remember at the end of last year England beat Spain 1-0 while Costa Rica (2-0 up) held them to a draw.