The Spanish national team faces an important UEFA Nations League tie away to Croatia on Thursday as they look to assure that they finish top of their qualifying group.
Spain embarrassed
World Cup finalists Croatia with a stunning six-goal masterclass of spectacular
finishing last September.
Things looked to be progressing well for Spain coach Luis
Enrique after wins in his first three games, but a shock 3-2 defeat to England
in their last Nations League match has left them with work to do in Croatia.
The Spanish need a win to
assure they finish top of the group and the Croatians are likely to prove
tougher opposition than the team they beat 6-0 in September.
Two months ago, the beaten
World Cup finalists looked to be still suffering a hangover from their summer
achievements, but they should have recovered since then.
The defeat to England was a
dose of reality for the Spanish and perhaps one of the reasons why coach
Enrique decided to recall left back Jordi Alba after leaving the Barcelona
defender out of his first two squads.
Alba's absence was arguably
the talking point of those squads but both he and Enrique have been keen to
play down any talk of a bad relationship. Given the importance of Thursday's
game, Alba is likely to go into the starting XI.
Nacho Fernandez and Dani
Carvajal are out through injury, so Cesar Azpilicueta and Inigo Martinez look
likely to join Sergio Ramos in defence.
Meanwhile Saul, Sergio Busquets and Isco look
certainties in midfield, while Enrique will have to decide whether to keep
faith with Valencia's out of touch Rodrigo in attack, or to opt to give chances
to Iago Aspas and Alvaro Morata, who has recently started scoring again for
Chelsea.
Source: NDO
In two days, March 3rd – 4th, the Women's Union of Hoa Binh city coordinated with the Center for Culture, Sports and Information of the city to organize the 1st Women's Steam Volleyball Tournament in Hoa Binh in 2024.
Since early 2024, high-achievement sports athletes have received intensive training in preparation for provincial and national tournaments this year.
Whenever Tet holiday and Spring comes, people of all ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province join in the vibrant atmosphere of exchange activities and sports competitions. In which, traditional sports have become indispensable "spiritual food” for many people. Thereby contributing to creating a joyful and bustling atmosphere in the first days of the new year, strengthening solidarity and community attachment, enhancing cultural and spiritual life, and improving people's health...
A wide range of folk games and traditional sports competitions, including archery, tug-of-war, stick pushing, and men's volleyball, have taken place in Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district, as part of the opening ceremony of the local Tien Temple Festival on February 13th and 14th (the 4th and 5th day of the Lunar New Year).
For the people in Doc Lap commune (Hoa Binh city), crossbow shooting is a folk game, and over the time it has become an indispensable national sport in the major local holidays and festivals. In May 2020, the crossbow shooting club of Doc Lap commune was established, satisfying the passion of the crossbow lovers. This is a playground for the members to exchange and share experiences, contributing to promoting the spirit of community cohesion and enriching the cultural life of the people in the area at the same time.
On February 5th, the Organizing Committee of Hoa Binh Marathon in 2024 held a meeting to discuss and agree on the contents of the tournament and assign the tasks to the members of the Organizing Committee.