Although there are still some lingering questions regarding Spain's Euro 2012 side - which of the three striking options will fill David VillaâÂÂs boots, who will have the pleasure of standing alongside showbiz luvvie and friend of Brangelina, Gerard Piqué, at the back, etc - the biggest debate in Spanish football has actually been resolved this week.
This was, of course, the all important issue of whether the players will be allowed to use social media when they are not supposed to be sleeping, eating, training, making pee-pee into a cup for UEFA or perhaps even playing the odd game of football.
But TuesdayâÂÂs papers blasted the excellent news that the world can instantly hear the thoughts of Alvaro Arbeloa or catch an exclusive look at Sergio RamosâÂÂs new hair-do (LLL approves, for the record), after an intervention from Iker Casillas, who played a true captainâÂÂs role by telling Spanish footballâÂÂs fuddy-duddy bosses that itâÂÂs probably easier to just allow their footballers to spend Sunday night tweeting âÂÂshame couldnâÂÂt beat Italy! Gave big effort! Animo!âÂÂ, than try to police such internet emissions after the event.
The morning of the kick-off to the big Euro jamboree sees SpainâÂÂs four main sports papers heading off in three different directions. The front cover of AS reports on a lecture from spooky-eyed UEFA referee coordinator, Pierluigi Collina, who has told SpainâÂÂs players that âÂÂreferees are not your enemies.â The Italian then added, âÂÂwell, aside from you Sergio Biscuits. WeâÂÂve been watching you, sunshine.âÂÂ
But on a considerably more sombre note, the paperâÂÂs inside pages lead with the death of Manuel Preciado, a tragic event to which Marca has dedicated FridayâÂÂs front page. âÂÂManolo was a fighter in life and in football,â said the paperâÂÂs editorial. âÂÂA tireless fighter, a born optimist, a vibrant man, a lover of football, a good friend. One of a kind. Rest in peace.âÂÂ
Over in the Catalan capital, Mundo Deportivo also has an image of the former Sporting boss on the front cover, with the banner, âÂÂGoodbye Friend.â Sport are steering clear of Euro 2012 coverage, by claiming to know the details of Jordi AlbaâÂÂs future Barcelona contract, with tentative talks for a move for the Valencia fullback reportedly underway. The paper claims the transfer will cost â¬12 million, with the wee defender picking up â¬3 million a year in a five season deal.
LLL suggests Sport may want to pay more attention to Tito VillanovaâÂÂs contract, with the supposed next Barça boss yet to sign it, with both parties reportedly still to agree on economic terms.
Everyone will no doubt fall into line by the time Spain kick off against Italy on Sunday, but until that moment thereâÂÂs plenty of time for chat about all and sundry before the European Champions begin the defence of their title.
