Casillas aims to banish Spanish anguish

Jun 22 2008 By Mark Guidi In Zurich

CONFIDENT Iker Casillas has urged Spain to ditch their reputation as big-time bottlers by reaching the last four of a major tournament for the first time in 24 years.

The Spanish haven't featured in a semi-final since the 1984 Euros where they beat Denmark before being denied glory by hosts France.

Now after years of awful underachievement skipper Casillas feels they are ready to go all the way - starting with victory over Italy in tonight's quarter-final.

The keeper said: "I'm aware of our record in major competitions and it's not pleasant reading.

"With the quality of player the national team has had since then we should have played more big games in the later stages.

"Maybe our time is now. This can be our year - we are playing well, scoring goals and our movement is good.

"Off the pitch there is a nice atmosphere within the squad.

"We won this competition in 1964, our only success as a national side. It can be repeated this time for sure."

Casillas has prepared himself for the possibility of penalties in a bid to avoid further Spanish shoot-out misery.

At Euro 96 and the 2002 World Cup, Spain were knocked at the quarter-final stage on spot-kicks.

Casillas said: "Penalties give keepers the chance to become heroes, to run to the fans as if you have scored the winning goal.

"Recently, Edwin van der Sar sampled that feeling for Manchester United in the Champions League Final against Chelsea.

"There is every chance this game could go all the way, beyond 90 minutes and extra-time.

"I hope we win in normal time but have allowed my mind to drift to the possibility of sudden-death.

"I'm not so sure penalties are the fairest way to decide a match of such importance.

"But they bring extra excitement and emotion to the game. That is what football is all about.

"We have good penalty takers and I would be confident of victory.

But things are unpredictable in such a tense situation.

"However it is achieved, we just have to defeat Italy.

"We are playing the better football and are more confident but the world champions can never written off or underestimated."