Fuente: © UEFA (English)
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EURO 2008: Time for Aragonés to put wisdom to use

/noticias.info/ If there were raised voices around Spain's Neustift training camp on Friday, it was probably no bad thing – in fact, it was all part of Luis Aragonés's grand plan.

Refereeing decisions
First, Aragonés and Sergio Ramos had an intense conversation in the middle of a group chat, then the coach, a renowned motivator, argued loudly over refereeing decisions during the session with Carles Puyol, Carlos Marchena and Álvaro Arbeloa. But do not think for a second that what happened was anything other than positive.

Barking orders
The 'Wise Man of Hortaleza' has been giving his players a day-off after every match – comprising a gentle morning session followed by free time to hit the restaurants and cafés of Tyrol or just laze around the hotel with family and friends. So far the ploy has worked a treat. On Friday, though, there was an air of first day back at school at training and that would not do for Aragonés. The 69-year-old has a gravel-voiced delivery whatever his tone, and here he was barking at the squad. "I'm the referee, not you," he yelled. "That's the way, that's the way," he cajoled after correcting one or two passing exercises.

Fine-tuning
With Italy to face and a semi-final place at stake, you just know Aragonés is using all his vast experience to start the final stages of fine-tuning. His players have three wins and eight goals in their account, they are on the equal-longest run of victories in Spanish international history – now all they need is a degree of mental work and they will be ready. The fact that later on Friday they played their least convincing 40-minute training match since arriving in Austria illustrated the tension in the camp. "I think the boss and Sergio were chatting about music," joked Fernando Torres, when asked about the pair waving arms and raising voices.

Daunting moment
He, like the majority of the team, have seen it all before and love it. But for newcomers like Santi Cazorla, this could be the occasion to break stride. However, the midfielder is still grinning like a Cheshire cat and playing with zest and assurance. He is in contention to feature on Sunday and nothing about the EURO experience has daunted him. "What I decided to do was just be myself," said the 23-year-old from Villarreal CF. "I've come along and brought my faults and my virtues – no good would come of changing what makes me me. All the lads have treated me like I've been here forever, as just another one of the squad. That helps but what helps most is the general atmosphere – I'm enjoying myself immensely. I wasn't nervous about coming here, just determined to take full advantage. The boss and all the players have helped me do that – but I've not changed one iota." notas_de_prensa_archivo