Something most unusual is happening in Spain. There are signs that La Liga could turn into a genuine competition.

Spain coach Inaki Saez named an unchanged side from that which made hard work of beating Russia last weekend, which meant no place for matchwinner Juan Carlos Valeron.

Hosts Portugal’s surprise defeat to Greece in the opening match of the tournament gave both Spain and Russia a huge incentive to go for victory in the second Group A game at the Estadio Algarve.