"They'll be knocked out in the group stage," came the gruff reply. As I mumbled something about the virtues of Torres and Fabregas, my underwhelmed analyst was already pouring vino tinto at another table.
For decades, pessimism has been hardwired into the footballing psyche of this otherwise proud sporting nation. Only once, as hosts of the 1964 European Championship, have Spain won a major tournament.
In subsequent competitions, talented Spanish teams have shone brightly early on, only to burn themselves out or self-destruct when it really mattered.
The tag of "perennial underachievers" hurt because Spaniards, more than anyone, knew it to be true.
No longer. "We are the best!" proclaimed the respected sports daily Marca, following Spain's semi-final demolition of Russia.
In opinion columns, the Spaniards' artistry was likened to an orchestral symphony, a ballet and (inevitably) a bullfight.
"Whoever wins the final," declared Marca's editorial, "Spain is the best team in Euro 2008."
What has most delighted fans here is the way they have done it.
Occasionally criticised for a lack of physicality, Spain's triumph in reaching the final has been one of style and guile over brute force - at times, the passing and movement of the "bajitos" (little guys) has bewildered bigger, stronger opponents.
Whatever happens on Sunday night, Euro 2008 has marked a new start.
In past tournaments, Spain's failures have produced angst-ridden debates about alleged refereeing conspiracies, player cliques and the very commitment of footballers to their national team, in a nation which remains politically and regionally fractured.
This time, a fresh generation of players have quite simply gone out and had fun.
Tens of thousands of young Spaniards will throng Madrid's Plaza de Colon for the final, while King Juan Carlos will lead the travelling support in Vienna.
Millions more will watch the match on La Cuatro Television, whose studio is adorned with voodoo dolls in the colours of Spain's past victims. Already, a Germany doll has a pin through its heart.
But for most Spaniards, voodoo trickery is an unnecessary evil.
Instead, there is a mounting belief in the ability of Spain's players to secure their own destiny. The mood is best summed up by La Cuatro's one-word tournament jingle - "podemos!" ("we can do it!")
Source: BBC News
Vocabulary Practice:
Which of the expressions mean the same as or similar to the following?
- eliminated from
- crowd into
- spoke indistinctly
- compared to
- looked for
- increasing
- confused
- decorated
- make exhausted
- full of anxiety
- a catchy slogan
- brusque
- a label
- summarized
- cunning
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