Image via Zimbio
Four years ago, they became the champion of Euro 2008; two years ago, they added another title to their pocket, the World Cup champion, and when people think that must be the top a team can ever be. Now, they became the first team in history to lift three major trophies in a row and becomes the first team who successfully defended the Euro Cup champion. World Cup awaits them in two years time, with such great players and talented youth in the team, it seems possible for them to lift the World Cup trophy once again.
Spain didn’t begin the tournament with the best scenario we can think of, as they didn’t manage to grab their first victory in their first game against Italy. But they weren’t being put in a difficult group, despite with bizarre lineup and many criticisms going on, the team still managed to earn six points in the second and last group game, standing first in the group and proceed to the next stage.
The game with France weren’t too much of a challenge to this already mature Spain team. The real challenge came after, during the game against Portugal. With Negredo starting, a real striker, the Spain team failed to deliver, given Portugal all the chances they need, yet luck obviously at the world champion’s side. Spain coach, Del Bosque, again used tactic which only himself could understand, replacing Negredo with midfielder. And when everyone knew the game would got into penalty shootout, he took penalty takers off the pitch, leaving Spain fans filled with horrors. But once again, luck sided with them. Although Alonso missed the first penalty, Casillas saved one and Bruno Alves's hit the crossbar, while the rest of Spain players all scored their, including the last one by Fabregas which hit the post and went into the back of the net anyways.
The final between Spain and Italy was definitely Spain’s best game in the tournament, with a surprising 4-0 scoreline, simply sent a message to the world that they are still the best team. However, it was really a shame that players like Fernando Llorente, Santi Cazorla and Javi Martinez weren’t given any chances to prove themselves in the whole tournament as they are all first team players for their clubs, which again shows that Spain has a very strong squad with too many good players.
The tournament maybe over, but the questions here is, will Spain continue to rule the world? They may have players like Puyol, Villa and Xavi who are at their 30s, but there are also players like Iker Muniain, Javi Martinez, Jodi Alba and Thiago who begins to show their talents and importance in clubs.
With such achievements, this Spain team doesn’t just earn the respect from their footballing skills, but their togetherness and humbleness too. The moment which moved me the most was when the trophy was presented to Spain, a few players have changed their jersey into some meaningful t-shirts.
Ramos’ shirt was the first that caught my eyes, because I remember the shirt from Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010. The words read “siempre con nosotros (Always with us)” , photo was his good friend, ex-Spanish player, Puerta, who died more than four years ago. It was nice of him to wear the shirt 4 years ago, to pay tribute to the player as he just passed. But still taking this shirt to World Cup and after 4 years, in Euro 2012, it shows that he truly misses him, and I admire him for that.
Fabregas too, pay tribute to all the Spanish players who left them by wearing a shirt with all the names on it. So does Pepe Reina who wear a shirt with the name Miki Roque, paying tribute to the player who passed away at 23, losing his battle with cancer.
We saw many teams who failed because they do not play like a team nor acting like one, but this Spain team is strong because the bond between players is strong, they are close to each other and they play like a team, they maybe separated by Barcelona and Real Madrid, or in different regions of Spain with a different government, but when they come together, they are one. And this is the reason why they are unstoppable.
No comments:
Post a Comment