Euro 2008

Spain not worried about 'unlucky' yellow strip

13:58 BST, Tue 24 Jun 2008
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Spain players stretch during a soccer training session during Euro 2008 in Neustift im Stubaital, near Innsbruck June 23, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez  (AUSTRIA) MOBILE OUT. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

By Simon Baskett

NEUSTIFT, June 24 (Reuters) - Spain are not worried about wearing yellow shirts versus Russia in the Euro 2008 semi-finals despite it being considered an unlucky colour in the country.

Spain are nominally the 'away' team in Thursday's match in Vienna and are obliged to wear their second strip which has been switched from traditional white to golden yellow.

The change for the match is necessary to avoid a colour clash because Russia, like Spain, wear red shirts.

"As far as I'm concerned it's fine, I'm used to playing in yellow," said midfielder Marcos Senna whose club Villarreal play in an all-yellow strip.

Spain team mate Xavi said he was also unconcerned about the colour change.

"If I remember correctly we played in yellow when we beat France (in a friendly in February) so I hope it brings us luck again," said the midfielder.

Spain coach Luis Aragones has an aversion to the colour.

He could not abide Atletico Madrid's yellow away strip when coach of the Primera Liga side and refused to accept yellow flowers when Spain arrived at Dortmund for the 2006 World Cup.

The traditional Spanish superstition surrounding the colour is thought to have arisen because French playwright Moliere was said to have worn yellow when he collapsed on stage performing Le Malade Imaginaire in 1673. He later died at his home.

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