SCOTTISH legends have scored a “Hola!” in one – by becoming honorary Spaniards to troll England.
Alan Brazil, Charlie Nicholas and Pat Nevin are ex-top flight heroes who insist they are now ex-pats ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.
And in a fun video from Paddy Power the pundits reveal their previously-hidden love for Spanish culture, skills in cooking tapas and ability to play… the castanets!
They were all very much the Three Amigos rather than Three Lions.
But the trio all denied indignantly a suggestion from an off-camera interviewer that “you just don’t want England to win the final”.
Bookmaker Paddy Power introduced the mischievous clip by stating: “There’s a growing Spanish community in Scotland, and we paid them a visit ahead of the Euros final…”
Former Manchester United and Tartan Army striker Brazil kicked things off by bigging up his team as a “joy to watch this tournament” – with the “best football we’ve played since 2012”.
When it was pointed out to him that his nation were “terrible” that year, he replied: “I’m not talking about Scotland.”
It appears the unofficial Spaniard was referring without naming it to his new nation’s golden generation – of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Co.
Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea winger Nevin revealed: “Basques, Catalans – I love them both the same.”
He explained his family had been “cooking tapas for generations” – with “of course my own personal favourite, Patatas Bravas”.
Spain Wags range from teenager sweethearts to recently blossoming love stories.
Alice Campello (Alvaro Morata’s wife)
Alice Campello is an Italian model and fashion designer and has been married to Alvaro Morata since 2017. The pair has four children together.
Sara Botello (Aymeric Laporte’s wife)
Sara Botello is a trained dancer, having performed ballet and contemporary dance in shows around Spain. She married Aymeric Laporte in 2023 and the pair have two children together.
Tatiana Trouboul (David Raya’s girlfriend)
Tatiana Trouboul is the girlfriend of David Raya. Before moving to London with him, she worked in a nightclub. Now she is working as a model.
Claudia Rodriguez (Marc Cucurella’s girlfriend)
Claudia and Marc met in Barcelona after he messaged her on Instagram. The pair has third children together and have been together since six years.
Lola Liberal ( Mikel Merino’s wife)
Lola Liberal is a blogger and loves to share loving moments with ex-Newcastle star Mikel Merino. The pair married in January 2024.
Laura Cascante (Rodrigo Hernández’s girlfriend)
Laura Iglesias is a medical student and is training to become a surgeon. The pair met during university.
Laura Abla Schmitt (Dani Olmo’s girlfriend)
Laura Abla Schmitt and Dani Olmo made their relationship public on New Year’s Day in 2024.
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Former Arsenal frontman Nicholas was just as enthusiastic, confiding that “the culture, the language” of Spain was “second nature to me”.
Just to prove it, the Celtic legend was wearing a matador outfit and flashing flamboyantly a Spanish flag as he added in a controversial accent: “Living’ La Vida Loca as we say in Valencia!”
Naturally, despite being in Glasgow, the trio were outraged at the idea they were backing Spain as a subtle way of bashing England.
And after a rousing rendition on the castanets, Brazil put it most dramatically: “Don’t talk s***!… Now I’m off for a siesta.”
Finally, as Three Lions‘ fans get ready to roar on Sunday evening, Nicholas got in their first for the opposition with: “Viva E-f***ing-spana!”
Fans – even a few English ones – loved the video.
“Brilliant, fair play Paddy Power,” said one.
Another viewer posted: “One of the funniest things I’ve seen through this 2024 European Championship. Scotland is with us! Oleee!”
SPAIN’S team may not be a patch on the one that dominated world football 15 years ago - which had superstars coming out of its ears.
But they still topped a qualifying group consisting of Scotland and Erling Haaland’s Norway by winning nine out of ten games.
MANAGER: Luis de la Fuente
Surprise choice as coach but won the Under-21 Euros in 2019 and an Olympic silver medal a year later.
KEY MAN: Rodri
Rodri is arguably the greatest holding midfielder the Premier League has ever seen. But will he have enough left in the tank after complaints of tiredness at Man City?
How Spain attack
Spain will be a different side to that which we have seen in recent years, with the 4-3-3 replaced by a more structured 4-2-3-1 formation.
The full-backs, attacking midfielders and wingers are all ready to push forward while Rodri and Fabian Ruiz sit deep in the quarterback role.
How Spain defend
Spain’s two deep midfielders allow the rest of the team to push forward and press high up the pitch.
Their focus will be on either dispossessing the opposition defence or forcing opponents to play long by cutting off the short pass option.
Read the full Spain Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
