BBC SPORT | Euro 2008 blog

Mischievous Spanish in confident mood

Phil Gordos
25 Jun 08, 05:30 PM

Vienna

There is a little tension in the air at the Broadcast Centre here in Vienna. Spanish television station Cadena Cope have put an unnecessary strain on international relations by "dissing" both the Italians and the Russians.

One sign above the door to their compound bears the words "Arrivederci Italia" while another to the side has a list of Spanish scalps at Euro 2008 so far, finished off with the line "Russia, are you ready to lose?" Could be a case of some humble paella being eaten on Friday morning.

Cadena Cope bait the Russians

I suspect I could be the victim of some mischief myself. I've been receiving a lot of telephone calls recently from Austrians wanting to know how much I wanted for the Renault Clio.

I'm perturbed on two counts.

Firstly, I don't have a Renault Clio. Secondly, how have they got hold of my mobile number? The next time someone calls, I'm tempted to ask where the car is and, as long as it's not halfway up a mountain and riddled with rust, claim it as my own.

Phil Gordos is a senior broadcast journalist at BBC Sport Interactive. Please check our FAQs if you have any questions.

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Comments

1. At 00:22am on 26 Jun 2008, OutlawTorn wrote:
great to hear that....it will make russia's victory tomorrow so much more sweeter.....

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2. At 00:26am on 26 Jun 2008, burgertron wrote:
I would argue that Spain were indeed lucky to slip past an understrength Italy, Cannavaro, Pirlo and Gattusso missing, three big game players gone! and Spain at full strength should of really buried Italy, but full credit to the Italians for holding them off, made Torres and Villa look very poor, but in the end i guess its fair that Spain won, I mean, it has been 88 years since spain beat Italy in a competive match, so congratulations to them, its about time, will all count for nothing if they loose to Russia.

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3. At 06:36am on 26 Jun 2008, quickquip wrote:
Gee, don't wanna sound too logical or anything but would think the next time someone calls to inquire about that Clio. ya' jes' might be tempted to ask them where they got your number, firstly. 'less of course it's MI6 and that line 'bout the Clio is jes' some kinda cipher for another caper yer' being sent on... something about a bullet riddled Renault halfway up a mountain? Anyway, it should be interesting to see what whimsical sign Cadena Cope put up about Germany before Spain play them in the final on Sunday. Too bad, there still isn't a third-place match in these tournament's, it might have been interesting to see Turkey take on Russia. But the most uninteresting match would have been Italy vs. Greece, the two most boring teams in the tournament; good to see them both gone, courtesy of spritely Spain.

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4. At 04:49am on 27 Jun 2008, donkeyssanctuary wrote:
I am spanish writting from spain.

Dont take them seriously.

COPE journalists are well-known in Spain for their appalling professional standards. Their stupid arrogance may arise from their old-fashioned inferiority-complex. Exactly what spanish football players represent starting from Casillas, Xabi Alonso, or Iniesta.

I am also as spanish quite embarrassed of reading that some spanish twit supporters in Vienna -who does not personify spaniards at all- didn't have anything better to sing at russian ones than "hijos de..."

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5. At 04:51am on 27 Jun 2008, donkeyssanctuary wrote:
Sorry I meant that

COPE's journalist arrogance represent exactly the opposite to the spanish player's character

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