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Spain finally want to cut it

The defence is rated as a shaky, top striker Fernando Torres is struggling for goals and Spain haven't won anything since their only major title at the European Championships in 1964 - but the Spanish national team are full of confidence.

The "Seleccion" want to silence their critics back home with a win over Russia in Innsbruck on Tuesday (18:00) - and follow up with the Euro title.

"There's no better team regarding playing ability and quality. We can go very far", playmaker Xavi said.

"Time to achieve something big"

Fellow midfielder Andres Iniesta added: "It's time to achieve something big now. We're very confident, want to be involved until the end and win the title."

Spain are unbeaten in 16 matches and have already beaten World Cup finalists Italy and Spain in 2008.

Torres rarely scores

The defence looked shaky in the test matches against Peru (2-1) and USA (1-0), however - and top striker Fernando Torres is struggling for goals.

The Liverpool star has bagged 24 Premier League goals for the "Reds" this season, but just one goal in Spain's last ten matches has been a poor return.

Pogrebniak sorely missed

Russia's problems up front are much worse, however. Injured Pavel Pogrebniak has already left the squad, Andrej Arshavin is suspended. Roman Pavljutshenko will replace Pogrebniak up front.

"The Spaniards will be in for a big fight, we want to cause them problems. My players are not as well-known as their opponents, but their names will hopefully be known after the 90 minutes", Russia coach Guus Hiddink said.

Line-ups as expected:

Spain: 1 Casillas - 15 Ramos, 5 Puyol, 4 Marchena, 11 Capdevila - 19 Senna - 6 Iniesta, 8 Xavi, 21 Silva - 7 Villa, 9 Torres

Russia: 1 Akinfejew - 22 Anjukow, 8 Kolodin, 14 Schirokow, 18 Schirkow - 11 Semak - 23 Bystrow, 17 Syrjanow, 20 Semschow, 15 Biljaletdinow - 19 Pawljutschenko

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)

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