Keeping faith with old favourites

1 Andoni Zubizarreta Valencia

Veteran captain and a commanding goalkeeper, first-choice for more than a decade (Age 34, 106 caps).

2 Juan Lopez Atletico Madrid

Good season at left-back for the champions, added to squad at last moment due to injury to Ferrer (26, 6).

3 Alberto Belsue Real Zaragoza

Right-back who played a major role in his club's Cup-Winners' Cup triumph last year (24, 12).

4 Rafael Alkorta Real Madrid

Strong central defender, more skilful than he looks. Endured a mixed season with Real (28, 35).

5 Abelardo Barcelona

Has combined well at club level with Sergi and Nadal. Always threatening at set pieces (26, 18).

6 Fernando Hierro Real Madrid

Tough guy in midfield or defence. He boasts a lethal shot, has scored 11 international goals (27, 41).

7 Jose Amavisca Real Madrid

Only just back from injury, left-sided forward who was ever-present in Real Madrid's '94-95 title side (24, 10).

8 Julen Guerrero Athletic Bilbao

Creative midfielder with a powerful shot, may struggle after missing much of season through injury (22, 22).

9 Juan Antonio Pizzi Tenerife

Naturalised Argentinian, made debut for Spain in 1994. Opportunist goal poacher and fine penalty-taker (27, 11).

10 Donato Deportivo La Coruna

Naturalised Brazilian who acts as a powerful link-man between defence and midfield. Debut aged 31 (33, 11).

11 Alfonso Real Betis

Former Real Madrid striker who missed going to USA 94 because of a severe knee ligament injury (23, 10).

12 Sergi Barcelona

Quick and strong under pressure, has had a fine season on the left side of Barcelona's defence (24, 18).

13 Santiago Canizares Real Madrid

Became a hero when replacing sent-off Zubizarreta in World Cup qualifier against Denmark in 1994 (27, 9).

14 Kiko Atletico Madrid

Top scorer in Spain's 1992 Olympic side, has had an outstanding season up front for the champions (24, 8).

15 Jose Luis Caminero Atletico Madrid

Had a fine World Cup in 1994. An energetic playmaker who was once rejected by Real Madrid (28, 18).

16 Jorge Otero Valencia

The most surprising name when squad was announced. A fine season in defence for league runners-up (27, 8).

17 Javier Manjarin Deportivo La Coruna

Skilful right-sided player capable of accurate crosses. Member of victorious 1992 Olympic squad. (26, 6).

18 Guillermo Amor Barcelona

Experienced defensive midfielder whose consistent form has earned him a recall to the squad (28, 18).

19 Julio Salinas Sporting Gijon

Tall, veteran striker who shields the ball well in the area. Often criticised for his poor first touch (33, 54).

20 Miguel Angel Nadal Barcelona

Aggressive, volatile centre-back, suspended for first two matches. Was sent off during 1994 World Cup (29, 30).

21 Luis Enrique Barcelona

Moved from Real Madrid last month, a utility player most at home on the left side of midfield (26, 22).

22 Jose Molina Atletico Madrid

Consistent goalkeeper for Atletico - but made international debut as substitute striker against Norway in April (25, 1).

SPAIN

The team

Compared to their club sides, Spain are great under-achievers. If they fail to lose that label here, coach Clemente will be taken to task for retaining some ageing players and not promoting the likes of Raul Gonzalez and Ivan de la Pena from the Under-21 side. The pick of an experienced squad could well be the versatile Hierro, a real strong man.

The coach

Javier Clemente launched his coaching career when injury ended his playing career at the age of 24. Took Athletic Bilbao to the League and Cup double in 1983 and Espanol to the Uefa Cup final in 1988. National coach since 1992. Has been accused of favouring players from his Basque homeland.

The fact file

Previous appearances in finals: 1960 (quarter-finals), 1964 (winners), 1968 (quarter-finals), 1976 (quarter-finals), 1980 (first round), 1984 (runners-up), 1988 (first round).

Qualifying record: W8, D2, L0 (Group Two winners).

Top scorer in qualifiers: 4 Hierro.

Most appearances in qualifiers: 10 Nadal, Zubizarreta.

Population 39.6m. Registered clubs 12,421. Registered players 470,500. Professional players 2,300.