Euro groups: Best of all the absolute Spain!

When was Friday June 14th in his opening game Euro between Germany and Scotland and when we reached the conclusion of the group stage. As if not a day had passed. But it was two weeks of non-stop action with many of the favorite to disappoint and most outsiders to take advantage of it to qualify for the “16”.

THE Spain he did not have the “label” of the favorite. France, England and Portugal based on roster were and remain closest to the trophy. In contrast to “furia rocha” which is a team changed compared to the past, with many new young faces. de la Fuente tried to “mix» the talented generation of Spaniards with experienced elite footballers to put the country back on the road to success and judging by the performance so far he is succeeding.

Clearly, qualifying with the absolute best in the group is not a success for the national team that swept everything from 2008 to 2012. The golden “bakery” of Iniesta, Xavi, Casillas and Puyol created huge expectations which “burdened” the following missions. Anything beyond a presence in the semi-finals and below is considered a failure and since Euro 2012 it took nine years and three competitions to erase a serious path.

In the World Cup of Brazil greeted early by being out of the groups, in the European 2016 they were eliminated by Italy in the round of 16, while in the World Cup in Russia they were eliminated by the host on penalties, only in the first phase of the knockouts. At Euro 2021 they “came together” and reached the semi-finals whereupon they were defeated by the later European champions, the Italians, in the “soul-destroying” process. In the same way against Morocco, their short course in the World Cup in Qatar ended.

But we return to today and the stadiums of Germany. The Spanish national team was unique who did the ultimate. Three out of three against Croatia, Italy and Albania respectively. Data was not the easiest group, since one of the three would be in danger with the third place, as happened with “Hrvatska” staying out of the institution.

From the first game, the intentions of his players were evident Luis de la Fuente. In 45 minutes of the match, Luka Modric’s team was already 3-0 ahead. In the derby with Italy, which also follows the same pattern with experienced and young footballers, they were superior thanks to the advances of Yamal and Nico Williams they managed to find the winning goal. Although they lined up with several changes in the last game against the fighting Albania, they quickly unlocked the opposing defense and managed the result in their favor.

Apart from the fact that they showed a balance in all the lines of the field, the Spaniards played without the slightest stress. In every game they were completely read and mentally prepared to play for the win. In contrast to Germans, French and English who not only did not perform as expected but also had some kind of… fear of not “stepping” on it.

And if for anyone the mental preparation comes to a screeching halt, the aforementioned Barcelona and Athletic players, along with Joselu, Vivian, Le Normand, Thubimendi and Koukoureja, record the first entries on a mission of a large organization. And they are not alone. The roster is made up of… team players, not stars. Each one has been selected to serve a specific role in the coach’s plan.

Experience in relation to that of the Croats does not exist. And yet the talent and working on team cohesion covered up the imperfections. Athletic and well technically trained defenders, facilitate the transition of the ball to one overcrowded middle line. Pedri, Rodri and Ruith move the strings in midfield with the Blaugrana having the individual energy, the City man cutting and stitching like no one else in the world and the Paris man having the vertical transfer. All elements collected.

From there the offensive line has its element unpredictable with Yamal not… catching and bringing the ball across to Morata. On the other hand, Williams to take advantage of his speed to find himself in the area. There are of course the options of Olmo, Ojarthambal and Grimaldo which add even more elements and can change the flow of the match. THE national team of Spain can go far in this Euro and “build” successes of the future.