In January 2010 Mikel Arteta completed five years UK residency, and having been ignored throughout his playing career by the country of his birth (Spain, for the ignoramuses out there) is now eligible to play for England. Just turning 28 Arteta could still enjoy a fruitful England career and though this (2010) World Cup is too soon, he would only be 32 at the next.

Before reporting to national team training camp, two of Spain's shining stars had a busy three day weekend. Iker Casillas took girlfriend, Sara Pastasauce, to meet his grandparents while Santi Cazorla fronted a AXE Men promo event.

Once the Spanish NT reunited, stroking Andres Iniesta's head felt especially good for Gerard Pique.

Spain

The Keeper

Real Madrid's Iker Casillas is by most football critics accounts the best keeper in the world currently and if you disagree then you must at least admit that the guy is in the top three spots.

Well it had to come to an end at some point. And in what style! Carlos Marchena had gone 57 matches unbeaten in Spanish colours, a record that began way back in June 2003. But a dazzling first half performance from Argentina put pay to the Sevillanos hopes of making it 58, as the Argentinian Liga select helped the home side into an early 2-0 lead in what was billed as 'The World Cup final that never was'.

Valencia 2 - 1 Athletic Bilbao(1-0) 10' Aduriz, (2-0) 91' Vicente, (2-1) 93' Gabilondo
Valencia are showing no signs of letting up at the top of La Liga as they made it 16 points out of 18 with a win over Athletic Bilbao that should have been wrapped up before half-time.

As some of you pointed out last night after the match, this isn't such an impressive result, considering it comes after the 0-4 to Liechtenstein and the 3-1 to Lithuania, not to speak of the recent good results of some others of the possible Euro contenders, like Germany or The Netherlands.

But, and you know I'm not above despairing of the team when they play poorly, it was not a bad match.

Spanish Football celebrated five Spanish League - La Liga matches tonight as part of the Round 16 schedule with plenty of goals & action. Here is a quick snap-shot view of the games played, results & scorers. Nilmar back scoring VILLAREAL shook off their surprise defeat last week to Getafe & got back into the winning groove with a comfortable 3 - 1 victory over MALORCA.

Did you know that Santa Claus was a VILLAREAL FC fan? The Father of Christmas also knows how to play a mean lounge Football. This is a VIDEO whipped up by Villareal FC to wish everyone a Merry Christman with Rossi ( Pizzaman), Cazorla, Capdevila, Diego Lopez & Gonzalo.

EL RINCÓN DE JUDAS. ARTÍCULO PUBLICADO EN PÚBLICO

Por Antonio Sanz
A poco más de cincuenta días para el Sudáfrica-México, la apertura del Mundial en Johannesburgo, la cita se aproxima con una mezcla entre emoción y temor. La expectación que siempre acompaña al evento dista del terror que provocan las lesiones en entrenadores y futbolistas.

EL RINCÓN DE JUDAS. ARTÍCULO PUBLICADO EN PÚBLICO

Por Antonio Sanz
A poco más de cincuenta días para el Sudáfrica-México, la apertura del Mundial en Johannesburgo, la cita se aproxima con una mezcla entre emoción y temor. La expectación que siempre acompaña al evento dista del terror que provocan las lesiones en entrenadores y futbolistas.

Today Vicente del Bosque announced his Spain pre-squad of thirty for the World Cup in South Africa and it included a few little surprises. David de Gea and Victor Valdes were named among the five keepers, with Cesar Azpilicueta of Osasuna, Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao and Pedro of Barcelona named among the outfield players.

Vicente del Bosque hopes his team will continue its trophy-winning ways at World Cup 2010.

Yesterday, the goalkeeping and the defense were discussed, and while the three goalkeepers contending for the final goalkeeping spot will state their cases to Vicente del Bosque on and off the pitch, they will have little to no chance of participating in the World Cup.

A ausência do volante brasileiro Marcos Senna, do Villarreal, foi a grande novidade da lista dos 23 jogadores que defenderão a Fúria na Copa do Mundo da África do Sul. O técnico Vicente del Bosque também decidiu incluir o goleiro Víctor Valdés, do Barcelona, na relação divulgada nesta quinta-feira.

This afternoon Vicente Del Bosque, as unflappable and stoney-faced as ever, sauntered out into the press room and rattled off his Spain squad for the World Cup in South Africa. 'There you have the best 23 available' he assured the reporters, answering any likely queries into his selection in eight words.

By AVI CREDITOR

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has trimmed his World Cup roster down to 23, feeling confident enough to bring two of his injured stars to South Africa.

Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas, both nursing leg injuries that threatened their inclusions in this summer's tournament, were named in Spain's final roster, one that closely resembles the side that captured the Euro 2008 championship.

By AVI CREDITOR

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has trimmed his World Cup roster down to 23, feeling confident enough to bring two of his injured stars to South Africa.

Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas, both nursing leg injuries that threatened their inclusions in this summer's tournament, were named in Spain's final roster, one that closely resembles the side that captured the Euro 2008 championship.

There's an explanation on why Spain didn't trash Honduras or why they didn't beat Switzerland, some people (including myself) believe that Spain lack a goal-scoring midfielder in the Busquets-Xabi Alonso-Xavi model of the 4-5-1 (or 4-2-3-1) they are currently playing.

Our Wise Walrus has spoken. With the RFEF and the FMF harping on him to take all his World-Cup-winning internationals to give a good showing for the Mexican fans next Wednesday, and the clubs snarking and whining about how their preseasons are going to be disturbed by a meaningless friendy (particularly Barcelona and Sevilla, due to their Supercopa meeting), Del Bosque had to walk a tight rope of diplomacy.

In January 2010 Mikel Arteta completed five years UK residency, and having been ignored throughout his playing career by the country of his birth (Spain, for the ignoramuses out there) is now eligible to play for England. Just turning 28 Arteta could still enjoy a fruitful England career and though this (2010) World Cup is too soon, he would only be 32 at the next.

Jozy Altidore was on the bench for Villarreal's 3-2 win over Malaga on Monday. Malaga went up in the 4th minute, with Villarreal equalizing through Sani Cazorla in the 21st and going ahead when Giuseppe Rossi scored three minutes later. Rondon equalized in the 29th, and this time it took Villarreal four minutes for Cazorla to score the go-ahead goal, his second of the game.

Villarreal's winger, Santi Cazorla was at the double today in a 3-2 away win against Malaga.

Image Source.

After having struggled last year with a back injury, Villarreal are happy to welcome back midfielder, Santi Cazorla.

Cazorla is happy to be back at full fitness and is looking forward to shine again for the Spanish club. Cazorla was shaping up to be a really good player last season for Villarreal but was unfortunate to pick up an injury that put a strain on his career.

With talk of money, transfers and 'Galaticos' yet again dominating the Spanish press in the summer, few would have predicted that with the season five games old it would be penniless Valencia and Villarreal leading the way in La Primera table.

Whilst Real Madrid and Barcelona loosened the purse strings and splashed the cash, those at the Mestalla and el Madrigal simply did their best to hold onto some of their star players as they scouted around for any potential bargains.

Do you think the RFEF has a script for situations like this? It all looked very familiar last night...

La Roja played well, Lithuania defended with 9 men, La Roja missed a lot of chances, Lithuania were saved by the goalpost, La Roja finally scored, Lithuania scored in a counter, La Roja woke up and put their accuracy to the test to win the match, Lithuania shrugged and said, 'hey, what did you expect?

by Elizabeth Hanchett, writing from New York

Spain had its third Euro 2010 qualifying match today against Scotland, while still being short their midfield maestro Xavi, still sidelined with tendinitis after missing Spain's match against Lithuania last Friday and Barcelona's match against Mallorca last Sunday.

La Liga Lowdown, Jornada 8: Villarreal A Real Alternative? is a post from: Just Football

Villarreal's victory over Atlético Madrid at the weekend saw them move up to second place in La Liga, just one point behind leaders Real Madrid. Not so long ago Atlético themselves were being considered ‘alternatives' to the usual top two after a good start, but a few bad results and the subsequent drop down to eigth in the league has dampened early optimism.

A match for football purists. The Barca vs Villareal match unveiled end to end football between two clubs committed to attack. Fabulous, preternatural passing complete with delectable finishes. An excellent counterpoint to the EPL's physicality. Sit back and savour with a bottle of nice rioja.

Barcelona's second goal, scored by Lionel Messi, typified the creativity displayed throughout the match by both Barcelona and Villarreal.

A select few matches each season define the league in terms of pecking order and/or overall footballing ability. Obviously, the two editions of El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona usually determine the fate of La Liga's crown.

Villarreal was able to accomplish what they were hoping to accomplish today as they defeated bottom-seeders Real Zaragoza 3-0. Goals from Marcos Senna, Santi Cazorla and Nilmar gave the Yello Submarine the 3-0 win today as they still have a chance in winning the league title. As for Real Zaragoza, they still have a long way to go to make a run at anything as they still sit within the relegation zone.

MADRID, Spain — Veteran Spanish international Marcos Senna celebrated becoming Villarreal's all-time record league appearance holder with a fine opening goal as his side won 3-0 at 10-man Real Zaragoza on Saturday to close to within five points of league leaders Real Madrid. The 34-year-old Senna, a Euro 2008 winner with Spain, made his 220th [.

Villarreal 3-1 Mallorca ( Santi Cazorla, Giuseppe Rossi penalty, Nilmar/ Jonathan Guzman) Villarreal handed Mallorca their third successive defeat by beating them 3-1 at home. All the four goals of the game came in the first hour itself. Villarreal vs Mallorca 1-0 ( Santi Cazorla) Villarreal vs Mallorca 1-1 ( Guzman) Villarreal vs Mallorca 2-1 [.

I know that I already posted a "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays" post to all you readers, but when I saw this video I knew that I had to post it. It's a video that some Villareal players: Giuseppe Rossi, Santi Cazorla, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Joan Capdevilla, and Diego Lopez made in their free time. I guess if I ever became a professional player I'd be making weird celebratory videos.

I know that I already posted a "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays" post to all you readers, but when I saw this video I knew that I had to post it. It's a video that some Villareal players: Giuseppe Rossi, Santi Cazorla, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Joan Capdevilla, and Diego Lopez made in their free time. I guess if I ever became a professional player I'd be making weird celebratory videos.