Spain not worried about 'unlucky' yellow strip

By Simon Baskett

NEUSTIFT (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.