Pepe Reina philosophical over World Cup honeymoon

MADRID, May 23: Spain goalkeeper Pepe Reina has admitted there has been a downside to his decision to get married last week before joining up with the national squad to prepare for the World Cup.

''I'm very happy with my new status, but now I'm going to have to spend my honeymoon with 22 other blokes,'' the Liverpool player was quoted as saying in the Spanish media today.

Reina married girlfriend Yolanda Ruiz in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba last Friday.

''We decided to get married last week so that I could focus on the World Cup and not be distracted by the wedding preparations,'' he said.

Reina will be competing with Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas and Valencia's Santiago Canizares for the number one spot.

''I'm going to try and make things as difficult as possible for (coach) Luis (Aragones),'' he added.

REUTERS