As the European Championships began, Uefa posted a tweet. The organizers gave us a picture of the trophy and stars from eight of the biggest nations. The idea was probably to show the teams that could take the title, but Uefa made a mistake. They forgot Spain. THESE WOULD TAKE THE TITLE: It might seem that Spain went into oblivion at Uefa when they posted a photo of the trophy and stars from eight of the biggest nations. Photo: Screenshot from X/Twitter And let’s be honest here: How many of us didn’t do the same? Most of us boomed France, England and Germany. Spain had not reached a final for 12 years and were known for having the ball a lot without creating chances. But two young gentlemen have completely transformed Spain. New qualities The two wings Nico Williams (22) and Lamine Yamal (17) have given Spain the ability to exploit the advantage they so often have. When Spain came out against Russia (World Cup in 2018) and Morocco (World Cup in 2022), they rolled the ball without creating much. They have been a bit unlucky, but when they lost the semi-final on penalties against Italy (EC in 2021), they had already drawn against Sweden, Poland and Switzerland. Spain lacked sting, creativity and composure in front of goal. DISAPPOINTING: Spain went out in the round of 16 during the World Cup in 2022. Photo: WOLFGANG RATTAY / Reuters Since then they have brought in Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. The duo have become regulars in the A team since Luis de la Fuente became coach after the World Cup in 2022, and now Spain can dominate the game and send the ball out to one of the two edges, who dribble, cut in and cause trouble. Spain can pick up the pace. They can counter and vary. Players who are good one-on-one are an important principle in the Johan Cruyff school on which Spanish football is based. And Spain has had good wings before. But not like Nico and Yamal. EC HEROES: It was the two youngsters Lamine Yamal (17) and Nico Williams (22), who scored Spain’s first goal in the final. Photo: Matthias Schrader / AP Other factors have helped Spain in the EC, such as the team spirit of the stable, the goals of the cunning midfielder Dani Olmo, creative Fabián Ruiz and declared genius Rodri. But when Spain was behind against France, it was Yamal who scored the dream goal. As Spain struggled to break down England in the final, Yamal laid the ball on a silver platter for Nico Williams. At a time when immigration is a major political issue in Spain, the two wings have shown what multicultural influence can add. Nico Williams was born in Pamplona to parents from Ghana, while Yamal was born in Catalonia to a mother from Equatorial Guinea and a father from Morocco. Both are products of the Spanish football school, and at the same time they can do more than hit good passes. Now the two youngsters have made Spain the world’s best national team. Bragging is allowed If you look back a little, it suddenly seems obvious that Spain should deliver. Before the EC, they had won every official match under De la Fuente, apart from the final against Croatia in the Nations League (which they won on penalties), and the away match in the qualifiers against Scotland, when the B team gave up three points which cost Norway dearly. Spain are the EC’s most deserving winners in a long time. SUCCESS: Luis de la Fuente took over in 2022, and here you can see the manager being praised after the final victory against England in European Championship 2024. Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters Let’s take the reasons for the record: 15 goals (record), seven wins in seven matches (record) and a path to the final which has featured a 2018 World Cup finalist (Croatia), the European champions (Italy), the hosts (Germany), a 2022 World Cup finalist (France), and a European Championship finalist three years ago (England). What more do you want? Spain have been so good that they haven’t even needed the ingredient that so often helps winners – luck. The closest they have come to defeat was when they were a few minutes away from a penalty kick against Germany in the quarter-finals. Even the Spanish big teams that won the EC in 2008 and 2012 did not take the title without winning matches on penalties. Already after the group stage, De la Fuente said that Spain had the best players and the best team in the EC. Which is fine enough to say when you’re actually right. Who will beat them? The worst thing for the rivals now is that Spain can offer more. This is a young team. The oldest key player is right-back Dani Carvajal, who at the age of 32 has delivered the best season of his life. Rodri will be 28. Stars like Nico Williams and Yamal will be even more mature. If nothing else, Spain will improve. YOUNG TEAM: Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Marc Cucurella. Photo: Lisi Niesner / Reuters They will be able to field two young midfielders who were injured before or during the EC, namely Gavi and Pedri. De la Fuente, a patriot who has devoted more than a decade of his life to the Spanish Football Federation, is probably going nowhere. We know that Spain is the best in Europe. On the other side of the Atlantic, Brazil is in crisis, and while Argentina were crowned South American champions on Monday night, even Lionel Messi – now 37 – cannot play forever. Perhaps the biggest threat for Spain in the next World Cup is that they relax. Scary trend Almost every team that has won the European Championship since the turn of the millennium has flopped in the World Cup soon after: Italy (who won the European Championship in 2021) didn’t even reach the World Cup Portugal (2016) lost to Uruguay in the round of 16 Spain (2012) crashed out of the group Greece ( 2004) also did not reach the World Cup France (2000) smoke out of the group behind Denmark, Uruguay and Senegal Winners can get old, fed up and predictable. But the exception on this list is Spain, who won the EC in 2008 before taking home the WC title two years later. Where Spain won with a new type of ball-possessing football in 2008, it is the wingers who characterize today’s squad. Both winning teams have had a lovely balance between wise heads and young stars. Now, as then, you get the feeling that Spain is only just getting started. Published 15.07.2024, at 12.17 Updated 15.07.2024, at 12.36 p.m
ttn-69
Who will stop this gang? – Football European Championship 2024
