CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola reminisced over his international career as his players fight to qualify for the Euros this evening, admitting that he was not too upset to have missed out on appearing at a major finals.

Welsh trio Chris Mepham, David Brooks, and Kieffer Moore will hope to send their country to a third-consecutive Euros with a win over Poland, whilst Ukrainian Illia Zabarnyi must help his team past Iceland for a trip to Germany this summer.

A handful of Cherries have already helped their countries qualify for this summer’s tournament, with Ryan Christie’s Scotland, Milos Kerkez’s Hungary, and Enes Unal’s Turkey reaching the Euros via the qualifying group stage.

Iraola never featured at a major tournament despite being a regular in Spain squads during the Iberian country’s golden period.

After receiving his first call up shortly after Spain lifted the 2008 edition of the Euros, the full-back was always there-or-thereabouts when it came to international squads.

Omitted from the World Cup winning side of 2010, Iraola seemed set to be a part of the Euros in 2012, only for injury to rob him of the chance of helping Spain win a second European Championship.

“I missed the Euros because I had a (groin) injury,” explained Iraola to the Daily Echo.

“It was a very, very demanding season.

“We arrived in the Europa League final, the cup final, and I finished in a really bad place the season and I couldn't go there.

“And luckily for them, probably unluckily for me, they won the tournament.

“But in that moment, I was injured and I couldn't go.”

Asked if that was the biggest regret of his playing career, Iraola responded: “No, I think my biggest regret is - I always say it, I played a lot of finals with Athletic Club, I've never won a title.

“Kids have different dreams, and my goal when I played was I wanted to win something with Athletic Club.

“We had a lot of finals.

“I think they can win it this season - I hope they win this season.

“But we missed some good chances and probably the things I would change are more related with the club than the international stage.”

Quizzed whether he still dreamt of helping Athletic Club win a trophy as a manager, Iraola replied: “This is something that is not now.

“I hope I have still more time here and we can continue this this stage of my career.

“Nobody knows what will happen in the future.”