- Title: FRANCE: SPAIN'S WORLD CUP SQAUD ARRIVES IN FRANCE
- Date: 5th June 1998
- Summary: CHANTILLY, FRANCE. (JUNE 4, 1998) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. CHANTILLY CASTLE 2. SIGNPOST: CHANTILLY GREETS THE WORLD CUP AND THE SPANISH TEAM 3. GOLF HOTEL BLUE GREEN WHERE SPANISH SOCCER TEAM IS STAYING 4. CLOSE UP OF BOARD "BIENVENIDOS" (WELCOME) 5. MOUNTED POLICE AT GOLF HOTEL BLUE GREEN 6. HOTEL EMPLOYEES AT MAIN ENTRANCE FOR
- Embargoed: 20th June 1998 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: CHANTILLY, FRANCE
- City:
- Country: France
- Reuters ID: LVAEWHQIBDN1MHLOPVOCSIKLWR0H
- Story Text: Spain have become the latest squad to arrive in France as the countdown to the World Cup continues.
Spain's World Cup squad arrived in France on Thursday night (June 4) and settled into their plush surroundings at the Golf Hotel Blue Green, next to the chateau at Chantilly.
Spain's coach Javier Clemente brought his team to the World Cup finals having had little chance to see how his players perform in the international arena because of a crowded domestic programme.
Uncapped Barcelona midfielder Albert Celades, was one of Clemente's surprise selections when his final squad was announced in early May.Veteran Andoni Zubizarreta was injured in training recently, but is fit for the finals.
Spain have played only four friendlies since they qualified last September.Clemente is aware that after three weeks of having all his players together at Puente Viesgo near Santander, they need to test out his training theories.
Clemente will be hoping Real Madrid's Fernando Morientes can replicate the fireworks of his debut in the 4-0 thrashing of Sweden several weeks ago, when he scored two goals in the first five minutes.He will also be looking to his other strikers, principally Alfonso of Real Betis and Real Madrid's Raul, to prise apart defensive-minded teams.
Clemente's preparations have been hampered by a heavy volume of domestic club commitments.Eight of his squad come from league and cup double winners Barcelona and another four from rivals and European Cup winners Real Madrid.
Unlike most of the other teams going to France, all of the Spanish squad play for clubs in their own country.
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