Pain in Spain after defeat

Norway's Skarmmelsrud (left) tackles Valeron of Spain

Spanish joy since the country's domination of the Champions League has turned to dismay after the national side's 1-0 defeat by Norway.

After a European Cup final contested by Real Madrid and Valencia last month, hopes were high that Spain could triumph at Euro 2000.

But the defeat in Rotterdam means that Jose Camacho's team may struggle to even reach the second phase.

Spanish daily El Mundo called the team's performance "second division with a second division goalkeeper. Spain starts out on its knees."

Barbs

"Camacho sinks in the fjords," was the headline in the Vanguardia newspaper.

Madrid daily ABC simply said: "Spain didn't measure up."

Molina: criticised for error

Many of the sports writers' barbs were aimed at goalkeeper Paco Molina.

He was beaten to a long free kick from his Norwegian counterpart Thomas Myhre by Steffen Iversen for the only goal of the game.

"The selection didn't measure up and Molina gave a goal to Norway," said sports daily Marca.

"Spain, again, grows indignant with the selection - always the same story."

Spain have a chance to win over public opinion in their next game in Group C - against outsiders Slovenia on 18 June.