Where there’s smoke, there’s fine
SOCHI: RAMOS ISSUES WAR CRY AHEAD OF EPIC BATTLE But with Spain in turmoil, Portugal will try to exploit this.
With Spain unbeaten in 20 games and Portugal having lost one competitive match since September 2014, today’s clash in Sochi appeared to be a case of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object – at least until Wednesday.
Then, in a drastic and sensational move, Spain fired coach Julen Lopetegui and replaced him with Fernando Hierro, whose only previous senior coaching experience was at second-tier Oviedo.
Lopetegui, who only last month extended his contract as Spain coach, agreed on Tuesday to take over at Real Madrid next season – but the Spanish federation only found out five minutes before the official announcement and were furious.
The contrast with Portugal and the manner in which their coach Fernando Santos agreed to renew his contract after winning Euro 2016 two years ago could not have been greater.
“We sat down, had a coffee and easily reached an agreement,” he said at the time.
The intriguing prospect of a duel between Real Madrid teammates Sergio Ramos of Spain and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo meant the Group B match was always going to be one of the highlights of the opening round.
The Spanish turmoil has added even more spice to the fixture and it remains to be seen how much the Spaniards will be affected, especially after media reports that the squad was split over whether Lopetegui should remain or not.
Some teams can be galvanised by such episodes, however, and Ramos quickly issued a war cry.
“We are the national team, we represent a badge, colours, a fanbase and a country,” he said. “Our responsibility and commitment is with you as well as for you. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
Spain had certainly rediscovered their touch under Lopetegui, using relentless possession to wear down opponents, as shown by their unbeaten run since he took the reins.
European champions Portugal have lost only once in 24 competitive matches since Santos arrived in September 2014 although, despite the presence of Ronaldo and players such as Bernardo Silva, they can be dour and pragmatic.
Spain have dominated matches between the pair, winning 16 of their 35 meetings with only six wins for Portugal. Four of those have been at major tournaments with Spain winning the last two – at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Both Iberian teams could be forgiven for being happy with a draw but Santos has other ideas.
“I am not signing off on anything other than a win,” he said. “We’ve come here to win every game we play.” –
Also see Pages 34 & 36 Egypt v Uruguay Morocco v Iran Portugal v Spain
12pm: 3pm: 6pm: 9pm:
France v Australia Argentina v Iceland Peru v Denmark Croatia v Nigeria
– A Malaysian badminton player has been heavily fined for smoking during a tournament, officials said, the latest untoward incident to hit the sport in the country.
Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin was fined 50% of his monthly allowance for lighting up in his hotel room at last month’s Thomas Cup in Bangkok, where Malaysia lost in the quarterfinals.
Malaysian players are forbidden from gambling or smoking.
He also had to pay the hotel’s fine of 3 000 baht ($90) for violating its no-smoking rules. – AFP