EURO 2008 INFO

Spain will arrive in Austria for Euro 2008 on Thursday in restrained mood despite extending their unbeaten record to 16 matches with a 1-0 win over the United States in their final warm-up match. 

Just as they did in last week's 2-1 victory over Peru, Luis Aragones's side turned in an unconvincing, insipid performance against the Americans and only won through thanks to a late goal.

 Although they dominated possession, the midfield lacked depth as they continually squared the ball across the pitch, while once again Fernando Torres looked isolated up front with the team struggling to threaten in attack. 

There was some improvement in the second half, but the only real moment of inspiration came when playmaker Xavi settled the game with a neat finish 12 minutes from time after dribbling his way through a crowd of defenders. 

"If we play at the rhythm we did in the first half it is going to be very difficult for us," Aragones told reporters after the game. 

"In the first half Torres was like an island all on his own up front and that wasn't good. We didn't threaten much and our play lacked pace, while our opponents got the better of us physically."

FANS WHISTLING

Fans at the half-full stadium in Santander whistled and jeered the team on several occasions during the match.

"It is worrying that the fans whistle you when you are playing at home, but to be honest I wasn't really paying attention," said Aragones who said that the absence of striker David Villa and midfielder Andres Iniesta through injury and illness had been partly responsible for the lack of spark.

"I'm not disillusioned," he added. "We are working hard to get to Euro 2008 in peak form. The two games have helped us gel as a team, enabled me to find out who is in form and given us time to work on both fitness and tactics."

Torres was confident the team would be able to step up a gear once the tournament got underway with their opening game against Russia next Tuesday.

"We haven't played much together and these two games allowed us to do that," he told reporters. "We are all focused on the Russia match. That is the really important game where everything is at stake."

After Russia, Spain take on Sweden and holders Greece in their remaining games in Group D.