Group C: Slovenia v Spain, 17.00 (BBC1)

Not for the first time in the history of participating at major championships the Spanish find themselves in the position of …

Not for the first time in the history of participating at major championships the Spanish find themselves in the position of having to improve on their opening performance if they are to progress beyond the group stages.

However, suddenly the Spaniards are a good deal more interested in having a look at the Slovenians in action with several members of the squad admitting that they knew nothing of the minnows prior to skipping afternoon training yesterday to watch a tape of the 3-3 draw with the Yugoslavs.

With Srecko Katenec confirming that he will start with the same team, despite the temporary collapse during that game, the Spanish will at least have a much better idea of what they will be up against tomorrow at the Amsterdam Arena.

Whether Jose Antonio Camacho opts to make changes from the team that lost to Norway is not entirely clear although Abelardo, Gaizka Mendieta and Alfonso are all tipped to come in at the expense of Paco Jemez, Fran Gonzalez and Ismael Urzaiz. In the first match goals were the main problem, and if that's the case again then really the Spanish wouldn't deserve to go through.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times