MADRID (AP) — Spain’s entire squad has finally come together for the last exhibition match before the European Championship.
The defending champions will meet China on Sunday.
A week later, Spain opens against Italy to start the campaign to retain the title and give the debt-stricken nation a morale boost.
An economic crisis has roiled Spain for months and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says, “many people will be happy with a Spanish win in difficult moments.”
Nine players from Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, who missed Spain’s training sessions in Austria and exhibition wins over Serbia and South Korea, joined the 23-men team Friday.
Spain will travel to Poland on Tuesday. Poland and Ukraine are co-hosting the tournament that runs from June 8 to July 1.
