Alonso: Liverpool hero Torres can end 44 years of Spanish hurt

After England's humiliating failure to reach the Euro finals, it is hard to imagine any major footballing nation being more incompetent on the international stage.

But step forward Spain, a country that can outdo even England in their ability to arrive at tournaments with such high expectations only to cock things up in spectacular style.

They always start off among the favourites. And every time since 1964, they leave shrouded in shame amid bitter recriminations.

This summer is exactly the same, with the Spanish seen as possessing their best team since the one that won this crown 44 years ago. The expectation is high...and the prospect of failure perhaps even more so.

Yet for Xabi Alonso, the experienced Liverpool midfielder charged with applying calm to the perennial Spanish tumult, there is one major difference this time, one massive influence that can break the cycle of failure.

That difference is Fernando Torres, Alonso's Anfield teammate who is now widely regarded as the best striker in Europe.

For all their talents, it is a long time since Spain have possessed such a free-scoring centre-forward, and one who is so feared by Europe's defenders. Alonso believes that reputation can have a massive impact.

"If I'm being totally honest he has surprised even me this season. It is really tough for a striker to play in the Premier League and with it being his first season, to score so many goals was incredible," Alonso said at the launch of UEFA Euro 2008 from EA SPORTS.

"He has something that opponents fear, and that could be vital to us. Every time he gets the ball you feel that something might happen because of his pace.

"And he has improved a lot at Liverpool this season. When he was playing in Spain he needed more chances to score goals, whereas this season he has had one chance in one game and scored one goal.

"For Spain, that will be a crucial factor. It is what every country wants from their main striker, and now we have it in Torres."

It is one thing, of course, to score freely for your club against varying levels of defending competence. But another to produce it on the biggest stage of all, against the world's best.

Alonso sees Portugal as the obvious danger, and being the pragmatic leader that he is, refuses to rule out Italy and Germany,

What he does believe though, is that television audiences back in England, dismay by their nation's absence, will still have plenty to be cheered by.

"Looking at the players involved, you know there will be some incredible football. No one can argue against Ronaldo and what he can do, so Portugal will be a threat," he said.

"But the Italians are always strong and cunning, and Germany have form. There are strikers in France, Holland and Sweden - in fact all of the countries - who can win games on their own. So it will be fascinating.

"As for Spain, well maybe we have the same mentality as the English, and that is why we haven't been successful in the major tournaments.

"It is certainly very similar to England - especially with the penalties!"

Spain have been as hopeless at the penalty shoot-out as England. But now, with a goalscorer like Torres, they are hoping finally, it won't come to that.

WHO'S GOING TO WIN THE GOLDEN BOOT?

Odds on the top scorer at Euro 2008..

TORRES SPAIN 8-1

RONALDO PORTUGAL 9-1

KLOSE GERMANY 10-1

GOMEZ GERMANY 16-1

TONI ITALY 16-1

VILLA SPAIN 18-1

V. NISTELROOY HOLLAND 20-1

HENRY FRANCE 22-1

BENZEMA FRANCE 25-1

PODOLSKI GERMANY 28-1

BALLACK GERMANY 33-1

PETRIC CROATIA 8-1

40-1 bar. Odds courtesy of Paddy Power