Spain prove comeback kings

IF Euro 96 awarded a `comeback' award there is no doubt it would go to Spain. Five minutes from crashing out of the championship in their match against France on Saturday, the Spaniards snatched a 1-1 draw that suddenly blew Group B wide open.

Almost a week earlier, Bulgaria looked to be on the way to three points after Hristo Stoichkov struck but Spain's never say die spirit kept them coming forward and with it the equaliser.

And now Spain could find themselves going into the quarter finals when they play their final group match against Romania tomorrow. Romania have already failed to qualify and have only pride to play for after losing their two previous matches.

Coach Javier Clemente known he is lucky to be still fighting for a quarter final place after the French match. "We were on the rack in the opening 30 minutes and in the first 20 minutes of the second half," admitted Clemente who has now led Spain to 19 straight matches without defeat.

True to form, Clemente will change his line up for the Romanian match. "I will keep the same system but use different players," he explained. "Nowadays I pick my team according to the opposition. I adjust my team selection and my tactics.

"Some people say this is a negative approach but I don't think so. I always want to make the best use of the players I have. I can only do that by considering how the opposition will play and how we can take advantage of their weakness," he added.

As usual, Clemente will wait until the last minute before naming his team for the Romanian game. "You cannot tell the world your plans in advance. I never announce my team two or three days before a match. The day before a game I tell one person; Andoni Zubizarreta, my captain," he said.

Spain have never won a major title outside their own country since winning the European Championship in 1964. But Clemente has dreams of ending the drought. He even has a dream final at Wembley on June 30. "Spain England. That would be wonderful for me because I love English football," he enthused.

He dismisses fellow Spaniards who claim the English game is all physical, without finesse. "For me it is not enough to play pretty football. You have to play effective football. You need players with strength, determination and spirit, as well as skill," says Clemente.

With two comebacks in two matches, Clemente's team has all the spirit he could ask for.