Factbox: Spain at the European Championship


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - World Cup Qualifiers Europe - Group B - Spain v Kosovo - Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, Seville, Spain - March 31, 2021 Spain coach Luis Enrique REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo

(Reuters) - The following is a factbox on Spain, who are in Group E at this year's European Championship, which kicks off on June 11.

SPAIN

FIFA ranking: 6

Coach: Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique led Barcelona to a treble in 2014-15, which included their last Champions League title, before taking over as Spain coach in July 2018.

The 51-year-old stepped down in June 2019 for personal reasons before returning to the team in November that year and the 2010 world champions reached the Nations League semi-finals this year where they will face Italy in October.

Captain: Sergio Busquets

With defender Sergio Ramos missing out despite recovering from a long injury absence, defensive midfielder Busquets is Spain's most-experienced player, having made more than 100 appearances for the national team.

The 32-year-old, who played a key role in their 2012 Euro triumph, had five assists for Barcelona in La Liga this season as they finished third.

Top player: Ferran Torres

Manchester City forward Torres had a bright debut season in the Premier League, bagging 13 goals and three assists in all competitions for the Premier League champions.

The 21-year-old scored twice for Spain in their World Cup qualifiers in March and also struck a hat-trick in their thumping 6-0 win over Germany in the Nations League in November.

Tournament history

Spain are three-times European champions, having won the tournament in 1964, 2008 and 2012. They defeated Italy 4-0 in the 2012 final to become the only team to retain the title.

Spain's worst performances at the Euros were first-round exits on three occasions, the last in 2004. They reached the last 16 in 2016 where they were knocked out by Italy.

Recent form

2021 Spain 3-1 Kosovo World Cup qualifying

2021 Georgia 1-2 Spain World Cup qualifying

2021 Spain 1-1 Greece World Cup qualifying

2020 Spain 6-0 Germany UEFA Nations League

2020 Switzerland 1-1 Spain UEFA Nations League

Tournament fixtures

June 14: v Sweden, Seville

June 19: v Poland, Seville

June 23: v Slovakia, Seville

William Hill odds to win: 15-2

(Compiled by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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