A Pessimistic Outlook On Spain

I think I have become close to as pessimistic as many Spanish fans these days.

Going into Euro 2008 I wanted Spain to win but by no way thought they could.  They have the best talent on paper but play like 11 fantastic players and not as a team.

I assumed they would suffer the same fate that so many other Spanish teams have, where they go into a tournament with so much hype and leave early with all the fans and players saying "woe-is-me."

I went so far as to complain endlessly to my friend today before their game against Russia. 

Why had Aragones left Cesc out? Why would he replace Xabi Alonso with Senna?

And the biggest wound of all that still festers after weeks is why did he leave Raul off the squad?

Not once did I mention a good thing about the team.

I did say that I was interested to see what Torres and Villa could do together up front but that was about as positive as I got.

I was completely pessimistic about the whole outlook of the team.

To finish off the conversation I said, "Well I am going to go and watch Spain try to scrape past Russia."

I now feel bad. The game is not over but Spain is comfortably ahead 2-0 in the 60th minute and seem to be on their way to three points.

Spain has looked pretty good. Sure their defense has been sort of shaky but Villa has been superb and the midfield has controlled the ball and provided great service forward.

Maybe I need to have a more positive outlook on the tournament and the team.

But I have yet to be convinced that this team deserves my optimism.