Saint-Martin-de-Re, France, Jun 9 (EFE; betting context by ISDca.com).- Spain’s national soccer team, winners of the last two European Championships, began training in France on Thursday as they set their sights on an unprecedented third straight title, and sportsbooks in Costa Rica are prepared to take wagers on this exciting football tournament.

As in previous international tournaments, the Spanish side opted for a secluded spot far from fans and the media and made use of inspirational messages to get its players in the right frame of mind.

“History doesn’t make you a champion. Humility does,” read one of the signs at the Complece Sportif Marcel Gaillard in this western harbor town, a commune on the island of Ile de Re.

Others chosen by Spanish national team head coach Vicente del Bosque and his staff include: “History doesn’t score goals. Talent does”; “History doesn’t win games. Effort does”; “History doesn’t contain your opponent. Concentration does”; “History doesn’t stop penalties. Confidence does.”

Costa Rica is known as an offshore sports betting haven where bookmakers are able to take action on major events such as Copa America Centenario, the NBA Finals and Euro 2016 simultaneously thanks to the solid back office platform provided by IDSca.com, the leading provider of Pay-Per-Head services.
Spain not only won the Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 titles, but also captured its first-ever World Cup crown in 2010 in South Africa.

The squad’s first practice on French soil provided no clarity about its goalkeeping situation, a battle between La Roja legend Iker Casillas and David De Gea that apparently will come down to an eleventh-hour decision.

Spain will need to have a short memory and put a shocking loss to lowly Georgia in its final Euro 2016 warm-up behind them quickly. That 1-0 defeat Tuesday night in Getafe ended an 11-match unbeaten streak by the Iberian nation.

La Roja, which struggled at the 2014 World Cup and failed to reach the knockout stage, worked Thursday on sharpening an attack that features Aritz Aduriz as the lynchpin, David Silva and Nolito on either side and a midfield of Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta.

As the Euro 2016 begins, IDSca.com reports that sportsbooks in Costa Rica see France as favortie to win the cup with 3/1 odds, followed by Germany at 7/2, England at 9/1 and Spain at 11/2.

Spain’s first match at Euro 2016 will be against the Czech Republic on Monday in Toulouse, while its other Group D rivals are Turkey and Croatia. EFE