Viva España - my early roll call paid off

Hi everyone,

Well, to be honest with all, if it was for me, I would only talk about football all night. I am writing this blog tonight a couple of hours after Spain has defeated Russia and qualified to play the final of the Eurocup of football. Big night for us Spaniards, very big. I love football and everyone knows it. I had a great time today and I am very proud of what the guys have done. What a match, what a team we have. I believe they can really win the whole thing and that could be historical for my country. I might sound a bit over excited, but you know what, I really am.

I watched the match again at home, at the house I have rented during my stay at Wimbledon. I had my team with me, the people traveling to the tournaments with me, also Feliciano Lopez and his team. We had a great time before and after and I am writing this short blog today before going to sleep.

I have been asked if did really ask the organization to play early. And yes I did. I am not sure if this is very professional. Why not? we can do both, hhuhh? We can play our tournament and also be looking forward to watch football. I did ask to play early so that I could be on-time to watch the match. It is not only the tennis match itself that it was also pretty long (almost 4 hours). But after that I have some work in the changing room with my physiotherapist and then all the media and TV. That takes almost 1.5 hours.

Tomorrow I have that half day off as I call it since after practice I will take it easy and rest. Maybe it is not the right day to go for that ride on The Thames. Maybe next week if I am still at the tournament.

Many thanks to all and allow me to say today: Viva España !

Rafa

Comments

[Domi, CRO]

congratulations, you are best team on EURO.
I think that ESP-CRO would be better final than ESP-GER because you are much better then Germans.

[Juanjo]

Rosetti, Judge of the match between Germany and Spain. Attentive to play.

[Bisma]

Rafa..congrats!
You are just as crazy about football as I am about you! :D
Best of luck againt Kiefer..!
VAMOS!

[mitch glover]

hey rafa

congratulations on spain's victory, hope they win on sunday!!! hope you will beat kiefer today and that next sunday you become wimbledon champion because you deserve to be the first man since borg to win roland garros and wimbleodn back to back...will watch you on tv in america every chance i get..
mitch glover, fort collins, usa

[Katie]

I was so happy that Spain won. I watched a little bit of the match before I had to go into work but I made sure to watch the highlights when I got home. I can't wait to watch the final two of my favorite teams.

[ei ei thynn]

i love you

[Amanda]

rafael, u're the best player here n pls pls beat federer although it's only a game. cuz u've gt the advantage cuz u're younger n therefore ur moves should be faster n more swiftly. btw, GREAT WIN to u n spain

[Carmel O'Brien Mulreany]

Good for you Rafa that Spain beat Russia,it is an omen for onwards to you winning Wimbledon and good luck to-morrow Saturday against Keiffer-the best man will win and that is you Rafa ,I shall dilligently be watching the match here on TV In Ireland .
I shall play every ball with you in my mind and breath every breath you take in unison and you will win!!win!!win!!Of that I am sure and Good luck.
Carmel

[Carmel O'Brien Mulreany]

Good for you Rafa that Spain beat Russia,it is an omen for onwards to you winning Wimbledon and good luck to-morrow Saturday against Keiffer-the best man will win and that is you Rafa ,I shall dilligently be watching the match here on TV In Ireland .
I shall play every ball with you in my mind and breath every breath you take in unison and you will win!!win!!win!!Of that I am sure and Good luck.
Carmel

[Axèle]

Hi Rafa ! I hope you're fine !
First, I want to congratulate you for your majestics victories on Roland Garros and the Artois Championship ! You're so amazing ! We know that but you"re definitively a great player !
I love this contrast between your attitude on the court :(so agressive, so expressive) and off court ( so cute, gentle, calm)
I just love you!
Unfortunately, I have a problem with my computer and I can't ask my question on " questions for Rafa" so I'm writing it there even I think that you won't response :
When you're feel bad, in a badmood, or sad what do you do ? Do you enjoy seeing and speaking with your family and your friends ? Do prefer staying alone ?
What's your favorite fruit ?

Take care. Vamos ! Hope Wimbly will be yours

[Imran]

Hola

Well done to Spain for playing such fantastic football throughout the tournament. May the best team win.

As for Wimbledon, I'm sure it's just a matter of time Rafa. Hopefully this will be your year but watch them blisters lol

[samuel lopez]

first of all que viva espana!!
espana will the euro 08!!
and rafa will win wimbledon
VAMOS RAFA!!

[Aurelie]

Congratulations, Rafa! For both wins. I was very happy for you yesterday! Your excitement is so contagious. :D

Congrats especially for your match against Gulbis, because he was a tough test. I liked seeing you trying and figure him out. I really admire your skills to learn and adapt. Now, good luck for tomorrow. :)

[Eddy Tejada]

RAFA, remember you are just a temporary spark and I do not believe you´ll get far at Wimbledon.

Give chance to young newcomers....

[Ichraq]

Hola RAFA:)
Im so pleased to watch you yesterday winning against GULBIS, you really did well, every time I watch you, you make me dreaming you know!! I m a big fan of You RAFA,I don't miss any match that you plays and I hope you the best luck for the rest of the tournament!!
Im soooo happy cause SPAIN goes to the final, I was encouraging SPAIN during the match as if it was my own country (witch is Morocco actually)
I love you RAFA and I hope I can meet you one day!! I believe in this dream :)
VAMOS RAFAAA
Girl from Marrakech (Morocco)

[Mary]

Aw Rafa, you're so darned cute when you're excited! :-) Go ahead and talk about anything you want in your blog... if that means futbol, then go right ahead, no worries. Good luck to you with Kiefer tomorrow and I hope Spain beats Germany so you and your fellow Spaniards can raise the roof!

[Eva]

Vamos Rafa, VAMOS!!! Vamos, Espana, VAMOS!!! It's got to be this time or never for both you at Wimbledon and Spain at a major championship. Make me happy. You are my favourite sportsman, together with Alonso and Gasol. VAMOOOOOS !!!

[killian]

WONDERFUL news from both competitions!!!
!Vamos Rafa!

[Luis II]

I read your blog today and let me tell you something... do whatever you want with your free time but never ever miss your time to rest ... tiene que ganar(nos) Wimbledom ¡¡Fuerza campeón!!

[Lucy Todd]

Come on Espana!!! Great game last night, and I'm so pleased you won your match yesterday. Hope you're enjoying your day off! Besos xXx

[Pepe]

Rafa, I hope you´ll can do a brilliant tournament...Eres el más grande, campeón!!

[chocolate desde Japon]

Again, congratulations, Rafa!!
Like 2 big prizes on the same day...what a wonderful day for our beloved Rafa and Spain!!
Even though we have a big time defference between Europe and Far East Japan, I am so much enjoying to see you playing excellently on the lawn, and also, football!!
GOOD LUCK for both of you on the top ;-D

[Amber]

Hola Rafa, y VIVA ESPANA!

What a great day for Spain - you beat Gulbis and Spain beat Russia. And now you both take on Germany! Vamos Rafa, you can beat Kiefer. And Spain will win Euro2008! Vamos!

[Nicole Phillips]

Hola guapissimo!!
I saw you play yesterday and got to see you on the practice courts. you are amazing!
I've been supporting Spain in Euro, I said they would win...
viva espana 2008 !!!!

[Ravi]

Hi Rafa

Well Done on your victory yesterday, it looked like Gulbis is very strong and will be around for many years to come.

God-willing Spain will on Sunday but it will be a tight match, don't want to predict the score! Good luck to you for the next matches ahead, I believe you can wrestle the title away from Roger this year