EURO 2016 TEAM PREVIEW: GROUP D - SPAIN

Tip: Semi-finals

Cult hero: Aritz Aduriz must have thought any chance of lining up for Spain at a major tournament was long gone after a brief cameo in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. The veteran Athletic Bilbao striker, though, banged in 36 goals for his club this season to secure a fairytale squad selection this summer.

Star player: There are several exciting talents in the Spain set-up currently, however Andres Iniesta still rules the roost in midfield. The Barcelona star is the pulsing heartbeat of the side, ably protected by club team-mate Sergio Busquets, his probing play and knack for crucial goals instrumental to Spain’s chances of winning this tournament for the third time in a row on French soil.

Player to watch: Arsenal fans have been frothing at the mouth at the thought of Alvaro Morata lining up for them next season, however they will face a slew of other top clubs in the race for his prized services. The Juventus striker is one of the best strikers in the world right now, his canny eye for goal and movement up front a terrifying prospect for any defenders unlucky enough to mark him.

How they qualified: Nine wins out of 10 in qualifying suggests that Vicente del Bosque’s side are very much in the groove ahead of their Euro hat-trick attempt. Slovakia were the only team to get one over them, a +20 goal difference highlighting their electric attacking play and stingy defence.

Line-up prediction: De Gea, Alba, Pique, Ramos, Juanfran, Busquets, Iniesta, Thiago, Silva, Nolito, Morata