Torres desperate for Spain glory

Spain striker Fernando Torres has said he is desperate for Euro 2008 glory to help ease the pain of Liverpool's Champions League heartache last season.

The Reds crashed out at the semi-final stage with a 4-3 aggregate loss to Chelsea, taking the shine off a season that saw him grab 33 goals.

"The semi-finals of the Champions League have left a bad taste in the mouth," said the 24-year-old frontman.

"Now Euro 2008 is the last opportunity to finish with a title of this nature."

Spain are seen as perennial under-achievers in major competitions, often failing to live up to high expectations despite a wealth of talent.

However, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Ramos and Xavi in support, Torres says confidence is high ahead of Spain's Group D opener against Russia on 10 June.

"I have a lot of confidence following this season, and with a lot of desire to be able to finish the season with a title," he said.

"With Liverpool, we were close to winning the Champions League and you could taste what it could be like to win such an important title. "It was not to be though and to win a title will be what I have always dreamed of - a great season and a great end.

source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/spain/7440001.stm