The reigning World and European champions will be one of the tournament's favourites primarily due to the beautiful style of football they play. Watching the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, Silva and Fabregas exchange intricate passes is like viewing poetry in motion – so expect hoards of football fans to make a big effort to watch Spain this June, and not merely the Spanish. There are around 22,500 Spaniards living in London according to a recent census – but given Spain's problems back home, that number has no doubt soared and will continue to rise over the coming years. They'll start the tournament as the team to beat – and if they make it through their tough group then it would take a mad man to bet against them. Although Barcelona came unstuck in the Champions League this season – while Fernando Torres is still misfiring and David Villa out injured.
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Spain Games
Sunday 10 June, 5pm: Spain 1-1 Italy
Thursday 14 June, 7.45pm: Spain 4-0 Republic of Ireland
Monday 18 June, 7.45pm: Croatia 0-1 Spain
- QUALIFIED TOP OF GROUP C -
QUARTER FINAL: Saturday 23 June, 7.45pm - Spain 2-0 France
SEMI FINAL: Wednesday 27 June, 7.45pm - Portugal 0-0 Spain (0-0 AET, 2-4 on pens)
Head to Camino at Kings Cross to watch La Furia Roja dazzle in Poland and Ukraine this summer. Camino is a great new restaurant/bar with Sagres on tap and a sun-trap courtyard which packs out in the summer. The food is top notch, including a delicious if select choice of traditional tapas, jamon and dishes from Mallorca to Madrid, many of which are cooked on a vast charcoal grill brought all the way from Spain. Camino promises to show all Spain's games in the tournament - but expect it to get very busy.
Another option, more central, is Ryan's Bar in St Paul's, an Irish tapas bar which has rebranded itself as 'El Ryan'. Sometimes it's unsure whether or not the place is more Iberian than Hibernian, but it shows a lot of sport on its many TV screens and will have a particular bias towards Spain this summer. Of course, all this should make the Spain v Ireland clash on Thursday 14 June all the more tasty here – with the old Irish clientele potentially clashing (in the best possible way) with the new Spanish sangria drinkers. Residents of Stoke Newington will be dismayed to learn that the popular Bar Lorca - a veritable Spanish football shrine - closed down a few years ago. Another option is Camden's Bodega de Tapas, which will be showing all games - but reserve while you can because entry was nigh-on impossible during Euro 2008.
Tucked away in a narrow one-way street just off Oxford Street, Bradley's Spanish bar is a hidden gem in the hustle and bustle of central London. Renowned for its vinyl jukebox, tequila sangrita (Cuervo Gold with a spiced tomato juice chaser) and fine Spanish beers and wines, Bradley's also has a basement where all Spanish La Liga games are shown. This summer, Bradley's (providing you can find it) will be the bar of choice for Estrella-sipping Spanish fans to watch all of Spain's Euro 2012 games – just don't expect any tapas (this is a pub, not a restaurant).
A throw-in away from Leicester Square, the stylish Salvador and Amanda tapas and flamenco bar is showing all Spain's Euro 2012 matches on three big screens and four little ones. Combine your footy watching with paella nights (Tuesdays), sangria nights (Thursdays) or weekend DJ nights.