Casillas Not Feeling The Nerves Ahead Of Final

La Furia Roja take on Germany, tournament specialists, in Vienna tomorrrow evening with history favouring the Mannschaft but all current indications pointing towards Spanish glory.

Casillas, himself a two-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, believes this tournament takes on an entirely new level of significance as it comes only once every four years.

"It's very different. Reaching a Champions League final with Real Madrid has no bearing on reaching this final," he insisted.

"Many of us are used to playing against other important club teams in Europe but this tournament is every four years.

"It's very difficult to reach a final and that gives you an added responsibility; it makes you more nervous.

"Speaking for myself, I'm looking forward to it very much. But I feel responsible for my team-mates and 44 million people."

Spain won the second ever Euro on home soil in 1964, but had to wait 20 years for their next final, which they lost to France. It has been yet another 24 years now in their third Euro final. Their record in the World Cup is considerably worse, having never made a final and just one semi, in 1950.

"Everybody has five minutes of dreaming before they go to sleep which is free of charge, but the most important thing is that when the moment arrives we're aware that only one team can win and only one man can lift the cup," continued Casillas. "Hopefully Spain can be that team. We have the chance to break this horrible statistic for Spain. We haven't won an international title for a long time. We were very near 24 years ago but didn't manage to win.

"There are good and bad things about reaching a final; if you lose the journey is not worth it, but if you win it certainly is.

"Spanish players have come a long way and we can now break the mould as we're one step away from winning. We have everything it takes to put in a great performance."


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