1)What is the expectation back home like? What does the nation/you think is a realistic achievement?
Spain has always been a country that has been very passionate about football. But ahead of previous tournaments we've considered ourselves amongst the favourites because we were following our hearts, not our heads. But as defending European Champions and reigning World Champions our confidence that we can win this tournament is justified this time round. The expectation is high and after Barcelona and Real Madrid, both strongly fancied, failed to win the Champions League, there's also the scent of revenge in the air. Anything that's not coming home with the trophy will be seen as a massive disappointment.
2) How popular is the manager with the fans/the players?
Del Bosque is very popular and very cherished by Spanish football fans. But we can't escape from the fact that it was Luis Aragonés who made the breakthrough back in 2008 by winning the European Championships. He was the one who decided to select a particular type of player to represent Spain and he was the one who took the tough decision to end the international career of the legend that is Raul. All that made a big difference and those were big factors behind Spain being the team they are now. So even though Del Bosque is much loved, the general consensus is that Aragones was slightly the better manager.
3) What have been the big talking points regarding player selection and tactics over the past year or so?
Several. No-one doubts that Spain should continue to play their style of football that is so dependent on keeping possession. What some question is whether we should play with a traditional number nine. Barcelona played virtually a whole season without including a proper striker in their starting line-up and the injury to David Villa (which has ruled him out of the tournament) has added fuel to the fire in terms of the ongoing debate.
Another issue is who is going to replace the talismanic Carles Puyol, who misses the tournament through injury. Pique didn't have a particularly wonderful season and Del Bosque normally prefers Sergio Ramos on the right but it looks like he'll have no choice but to play the Real Madrid man in the middle now.
Lastly, there's the question of whether Spain should play one holding midfielder or two. Busquets and Xabi Alonso have been paired together a fair bit but it's being debated whether there should be more emphasis on playing wider players.
4) Who (which player) could you least afford to lose to injury/suspension?
Seeing as Puyol is already out injured, I'll have to nominate Xavi as the key player. He's had an extremely tiring season with Barcelona and Spain will need him to recharge his batteries between now and the start of the tournament. We will also need Pique at his best.
5) What are the team's great strengths and weaknesses?
Spain's strengths are the ability to dominate matches, keep the ball well and wait till the right time to play that killer final pass. We've also got a lot of players who can boss a game and be potential match-winners.
The big weakness is at the heart of the defence. I don't mean to keep going on about it but Puyol's injury is a devastating blow. I guess Pique and Ramos will play there now but that partnership is a lot weaker than if the Barca skipper were there.
6) Tournament Bet involving Spain
Spain are the 3.814/5 favourites to win it. But taking into account the problems in defence I've mentioned and the good form of France and Germany and the attacking prowess of the Netherlands, I think the value is a lay of Spain. We're too strong a favourite for my money.
Julio 'Maldini' Maldonado is a popular Spanish television presenter and the chief football expert on the Spanish version of Betting.Betfair.