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Spain's Iker Casillas urges 'maximum respect' for Euro 2012 opponents Italy
The holders will meet the Azzurri, Ireland and Croatia in their opening fixtures, and the Real Madrid shot-stopper warned against over-confidence from his team-mates
2 Dec 2011 21:51:00
By Daniel Edwards
Iker Casillas - Real Madrid
Spain captain Iker Casillas has implored his team-mates not to take any of their Euro 2012 opponents lightly, as the defending champions learned who they will face in Group C of the competition.
The 2008 winners will meet Italy, Croatia and Ireland in the opening stage, after the draw was confirmed in Friday's ceremony in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Spain's first opponents will be the Azzurri, whom they meet on June 10.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper affirmed that it would not be easy for his team against their three rivals, and claimed the key was treating every game with the utmost professionalism.
"The European Championship 2012 draw has paired us with Italy, Ireland and Croatia. We must never be too confident, the respect towards all three teams has to be at its maximum," Casillas stated via his official Facebook page.
"We know that every game we will be defending the title won four years ago. It will be a great tournament, there are very good teams who will give us some excellent matches."
Casillas is Spain's highest-capped player in history, boasting 127 appearances for La Roja.
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.63 | Draw £80.00 | China £260.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £11.00 | Draw £90.00 | China £230.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £11.00 | Draw £90.00 | China £210.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £11.00 | Draw £90.00 | China £210.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.30 | Draw £110.00 | China £260.00 |
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The 2008 winners will meet Italy, Croatia and Ireland in the opening stage, after the draw was confirmed in Friday's ceremony in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Spain's first opponents will be the Azzurri, whom they meet on June 10.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper affirmed that it would not be easy for his team against their three rivals, and claimed the key was treating every game with the utmost professionalism.
"The European Championship 2012 draw has paired us with Italy, Ireland and Croatia. We must never be too confident, the respect towards all three teams has to be at its maximum," Casillas stated via his official Facebook page.
"We know that every game we will be defending the title won four years ago. It will be a great tournament, there are very good teams who will give us some excellent matches."
Casillas is Spain's highest-capped player in history, boasting 127 appearances for La Roja.
Visit our Euro 2012 microsite for all you need to know ahead of Friday's draw and beyond - team profiles, stadium guides, even which hotels are best to stay in!
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And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
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