Spain had their crown of World Champions taken away from them by Germany in the 2014 World Cup. Vicente Del Bosque’s men will be looking to retain their European crown in a competition that has seen no other winner in nearly a decade. With a host of the players from the golden generation either retired or near thirties, the new generation of superstars will be looking to create history of their own in France. We look at 5 reasons why Spain will become the first country to be crowned three times European Champions in a row.
Quality
Two Spanish clubs, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, in the Champions League final and the La Liga Champions, FC Barcelona, all had a sizeable Spanish contingent that played a key role in their success this season.
Casillas, Busquets, Iniesta, Bartra, Lucas, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Thiago, Morata have all won at least one major competition they have taken part in, illustrating the quality that they bring. And while the likes of Pedro, Fabregas, Silva may have not won much, they are household names in the Premier League and in world football.
Despite some of the star names retiring over the past few years, Spain still remain a top quality side given the flow of young talent.
Mentality
Barring Saul, all the Spanish players who played key roles for Atletico, Real Madrid and Barcelona have made it to the squad, and will once again be expected to play a key role in the competition.
Most of the squad has been winning a major trophy every year and has been together for a long time, having lifted a World Cup and two European Championships.
They know what it takes to win a major international tournament following a grueling season of European Football.
Blend of youth and experience
The overflow of young talent has enabled Vicente Del Bosque to chose a nicely balanced squad. 6 of the expected starting XI in Pique, Ramos, Silva, Iniesta, Fabregas and Juanfran are between the ages of 29 to 32, considered to be the prime age for a footballer. Number 1 Iker Casillas is the oldest member of the squad at 35 years of age.
Add 27-year-old Sergio Busquets and 26-year-old Jordi Alba and the majority of the starters are either in their prime or approaching it.
Koke, Thiago, Morata are expected to stake the claim for the remaining 2 starting spots, and along with Pedro, will be expected to come off the bench if not. The trio are in their early to mid-twenties and will provide a nice balance to the experienced spine of the side that has already won it all. The combination of their youthful exuberance coupled with the wisdom that only experience can bring means Spain have one of the best potential starting XIs when it comes to age.
Vicente Del Bosque
Following the ‘breaking of the spell’ by Luis Aragones in 2008 European Championship, Vicente Del Bosque has taken the Spanish Armada to new heights. They won the 2010 World Cup and the Euro 2012 under his leadership. And while they did have a rather forgetful 2014 World Cup, Del Bosque has shown enough throughout his career that such events are more of a blip than a regular occurrence if he is given a quality squad and allowed to do his job.
His slow build up, and at times toothless, tiki-taka brand of football might not be very pleasing to the eye, but, it certainly is very effective given the amount of trophies the national side has won under him.
“Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.”
When Sir Alex Ferguson gives a tip about winning titles, you just listen.
Spain’s slow tempo tiki-taka style of football means Vicente del Bosque’s men hardly give their opponent a chance to have the ball, thereby reducing the probability of them being on the receiving end of the their opponent’s attack.
And if there is an attack once in a while, to snuff it out, Spain have an experienced back four consisting of Pique, Ramos, Alba and Juanfran. Together they have 3 Spanish titles, 3 European Cups and 2 European Cup finals between them in the last three years.
Arguably, the world’s best defensive midfielder in Sergio Busquets is protecting them as Iker Casillas and David de Gea compete for the role of Spanish no. 1.