It is likely with a thread of concern that Spain's aficionados watched their nation's piece of paper being withdrawn from December's draw ahead of this summer's European Championships - Group B is no picnic. 

After a fearsome qualifying campaign, in any other group Luis de la Fuente's side might have been the favourites, but have a path laced with landmines in the form of Italy and Croatia to have a hope of reaching the knockout stages in Germany. 

The former could represent a particular bogey side for La Roja, who were knocked out by the Azzurri at Wembley in their Euro 2020 semi-final on route to claiming the trophy. 

Spain are a side with bags of promise, thanks to their emphasis on young talent and rising stars including Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, and Nico Williams, peppered with more experienced figures including Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Morata. 

But Spain haven't had the most sparkling run-up this year, drawing 3-3 with Brazil in their last international friendly, after fluffing their lines at Wembley and losing 1-0 to Colombia earlier in March. And in Group B, De la Fuente's side won't have the luxury of a single misstep if they want to progress. 

Mail Sport takes you through everything you need to know about Spain, including how they qualified for the tournament, their history in the competition and who to look out for.

Spain have a difficult route to knockout stages as one of three strong contenders in Group B

Who is Spain's manager?

Luis de la Fuente has helmed the side since Luis Enrique's swift dismissal in the wake of Spain's exit from the 2022 World Cup, and has had little time to dazzle on the big stage since his appointment. 

Previously Spain's Under 21s manager, De la Fuente was able to sidestep controversy last summer when he swiftly withdrew his public backing of Spain's then-head of the RFEF Luis Rubiales in the wake of his behaviour at the Women's World Cup final. 

De la Fuente said that it had been 'unjustifiable' that he had previously applauded the disgraced association head, and stressed that instead he was on the side of 'equality and respect'. 

The manager has also found himself in hot water with the Nou Camp faithful for his continuous selection and effusive praise of Barcelona wonderkid Yamal. Don't expect De la Fuente's stance to change any time soon, however. 

Who is Spain's star man? 

Many might be overdoing it - but there's no doubting that Yamal has star power by the bucketful. 

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The teenager will only celebrate his 17th birthday the day before the final, but the La Masia graduate has already notched up six appearances for his country and netted twice. 

As stated, De la Fuente has previously publicly heaped praise on Spain's youngest-ever debutant, who has frequently been a bright spark for Barcelona amid a torrid season. 

Yamal has since been rewarded for his strong season - which saw him record 17 goal contributions across his 50 appearances in blue and maroon - with a three-year contract believed to come with an eye-popping £1billion release clause. 

But can a player gearing up for his first major tournament pull through on the biggest European stage of all? De la Fuente will hope that the forward takes advice from experienced heads such as Rodri - a worthy runner-up for the top spot after yet another frighteningly in-form season for Manchester City.   

How did they qualify? 

Spain haven't had the most ardurous route to the finals, the heavy favourites in a qualifying group which included Scotland, Norway, Georgia, and Cyprus. 

Stat-padding ensued. De la Fuente's side knocked seven past Georgia in September in Tbilisi with just one dissenting reply, and six with no response past Cyprus a week later. 

Spain also poured cold water on Arsenal and Man City fans' hopes that they might catch sight of Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland at a major tournament, beating the Lions 3-0 and 1-0 on route to Germany. 

Only an angry tussle with Scotland at Hampden Park marred their perfect qualifying record, with La Roja crumpling in the face of a sterling performance from Scotland hero Scott McTominay to lose 2-0. 

Fixtures (all UK time)

Spain vs Croatia - Saturday June 15 (5pm, Berlin)

Spain vs Italy - Thursday June 20 (8pm, Gelsenkirchen)

Spain vs Albania - Monday June 24 (8pm, Dusseldorf)

Tournament history

Spain have historic form in Europe, having won the competition three times - in 1964, 2008, and 2012 - and have the distinction of being the only team to have won the tournament in consecutive iterations. 

They've failed to qualify five times, but haven't missed out on the competition since 1992, when Spain finished third in their group behind France and the now-defunct Czechoslovakian side. 

Last tournament's jet-setting between nations did their prospects no harm, as they finished third after their semi-final defeat to Italy on penalties. 

Odds to win the trophy

8/1 (Sky Bet)

Provisional squad (29 players)

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedri (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Aleix García (Girona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)

Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis)