While some of the Villarreal players are training with Coach Garrido, hoping for a resolution to the ridiculous lockout proposed by La Liga and the Spanish FA, others will be in action for their international teams. Here's a quick rundown, with TV information at the bottom of the post when I've been able to find it.
In European Championship qualifying, Italy and Spain will be in action and Submarine players will doubtless play key roles. Giuseppe Rossi is in the squad for Italy as they take on Slovenia in an important Group C match. The Azzurri finish up with a friendly against one of the Euro 2012 host nations, Ukraine, on the following Tuesday.
Spain hosts the Czech Republic in the lovely city of Grenada on Friday, with Joan Capdevila expected to start for the World Champions, while Santi Cazorla and Carlos Marchena are expected to be on the bench. Spain has maximum points from 3 matches, with the Czechs in second place on 6 points. So winning this one would certainly put La Roja in the driver's seat before their trip to Lithuania the following Tuesday in another Group I match.
There are friendly matches, too. Nilmar will be part of the Brazilian squad that plays Scotland at Wembley on Sunday, while the USA takes on Argentina at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey on March 26, and hosts Paraguay in Nashville on March 29 (8PM EDT). Jozy Altidore will be in the squad for these matches, and may face B-teamer Hernán Pérez, who is in the Paraguay squad. Los Guaraníes play a friendly on March 26 as well, in Oakland, CA against Mexico. That should be a fun one!
Finally, although Jefferson Montero was injured in Levante's last match, I believe he is in Madrid for Ecuador's friendly against Colombia, which is being played at 1PM EST on March 26. It appears to be available on FSNHD, so if you have Dish Network or Direct TV you can watch it and let me know if Jeffrey actually is there and plays.
Here are the matches by day, with television or streaming information when I've been able to find it.
Friday March 25: Slovenia v Italy, 3:45 PM EDT, ESPN3
Spain v Czech Republic, 5 PM EDT, ESPN3, ESPN2,ESPN Deportes
Saturday March 26: Colombia v Ecuador, 1PM (FSCHD--see above)
and don't forget FC Cartagena-Villarreal B in the Segunda-- 1PM as well
USA v Argentina, 7 PM EDT, ESPN2
Sunday March 27: Scotland v Brazil, 8:45 AM EDT, ESPN2
Tuesday March 29: Ukraine v Italy, 2:45PM EDT
Lithuania v Spain, 2:30 PM EDT, ESPN3
USA v Paraguay, 8PM EDT, Fox Soccer Channel
And a bit of past news: Diego Mariño, Mario Gaspar and Iago Falqué all played in the under-21 squad which lost 3-2 to France in a friendly. Mariño gaveup all three goals but from the highlights he seemed hung out to dry by some poor central defending for the most part. Nicki Bille was in the Danish under-21 side that lost 4-0 to England yesterday, and will face Ukraine on March 28.
Good luck to all the Submarine players!