Spain confident ahead of Olympic football final against France at Paris

La Roja striker Abel Ruiz is ambitious ahead of Friday's Olympic football final against France.

"It's exciting, after many years in the lower categories, to be able to be here today. We can't wait for tomorrow (Friday), we're very hungry. We came to Paris with this dream and we're coming back for the final. We're looking forward to this match," Spain forward Abel Ruiz said ahead of the Olympic final against Les Bleus. 

"We know that France are a very tough opponent, very difficult. And even more so here at home. But we want the gold and we're going to work for it," he added.

Spain want to cap an outstanding summer where the senior and under-19 teams claimed the European championship titles, less than a year after also winning the UEFA Nations League. Spain coach Santi Denia says his team are aware they are in the perfect position to secure the missing piece from their glittering trophy cabinet.

"I was lucky enough to see Kiko Narvaez's goal in Barcelona in 1992, for the gold medal. After so many years, this is a new challenge, a dream. I'd also like to say that we have a very, very good opponent in front of us," Santiago Denia said. 

He also remembered to extend his wishes to his French counterpart. "Congratulations to Thierry Henry for the group he has built up, for his work with the national team. It's a very, very strong team, with very good players, and the figures are there. It's a courageous team that wants to go forward and attack. That's why they're in the final, because they do things well. I think it's going to be a very even match, it can't be any other way," Denia  said.

Spain had beaten Morocco to enter the summit clash against the host nation. 

(L'Équipe/Thierry Dengerma)