Ramos: Spanish hit form in Irish rout

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has insisted European champions Spain are getting back to their best as the Spaniards threw down a marker of their Euro 2012 form by hammering Ireland. Chelsea striker Fernando Torres netted twice in the 4-0 rout of the Irish at Arena Gdansk on Thursday as Manchester City’s David Silva and Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas also got on the scoresheet. The world and European champions were rarely challenged by the Irish, but their watching rivals — Germany coach Joachim Loew was in the crowd — could not have failed to be impressed by the Spaniards’ slick attack. “It’s always important to win and even more so now as we drew our first game,” said the 26-year-old with Spain needing a point from their final game with Croatia on Monday in Gdansk to qualify for the knock-out phase.“We were really eager to return with a win and to return to feeling comfortable with our philosophy of how we like to play. “We are feeling more and more comfortable and the result is fantastic in terms of us continuing on the path we want to be on.” Two-goal hero Torres looks to be hitting the kind of form which saw him deliver the Euro 2008 title to Spain with the winning goal against Germany in the final four years ago. “We needed to win this game and from the beginning, we showed the character and determination needed,” said the 28-year-old Chelsea star, who started on the bench for the 1-1 draw with Italy in the opening game. “The early goal made it easier and the performance was great. “We’re on our way to qualifying, we need one more point against Croatia and our minds are now on that game. “I was not dismayed [to have been on the bench against Italy]. “I know the team we have here, we are playing in the best team in the world, we won the World Cup and Euro, and anyone can play. “I’m not disappointed to be on the bench with these kind of players in the team. “Against Italy it was not a good start for us but the performance of the team was good.” from gulfnews.com