The Spanish team achieved victory (1-0) this Thursday against Italy on the second day of the group stage of the Euro Cup, which is being held in Germany, thus getting its ticket to the round of 16 of the tournament as first in the group. with one match left to play before the clashes, something that Spain had only achieved once in its entire history, in EURO 2008, which it would end up winning.
In June 2008, the Spanish team led by Luis Aragonés appeared at the Euro Cup in Austria and Switzerland full of uncertainties and shadows after a qualifying phase in which it left more than one doubt and surprising results such as the defeat against Northern Ireland or the draw against Iceland. However, ‘El Sabio de Hortaleza’ continued betting in the final phase of the tournament on a group of young, very talented players who were just beginning to emerge on the international scene, such as Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Cesc Fábregas or Sergio Ramos.
A blind trust to which the team responded with some of the best football ever seen in a national team tournament. Spain was not among the favorites, but with each game it played in the tournament it established itself as one of the best teams in the tournament. Thus, they surpassed Russia, in the first phase and in the semifinals, defeated the then current world champion, Italy, in the quarterfinals, and beat the always feared Germany in the final. All this to raise to the sky of Vienna the trophy that accredited her as European champion.
Now, Spain has arrived at the event in Germany with a team without a star that stands out above the rest, which meant that at the beginning of the championship almost no one counted on ‘la Roja’ among the main favorites to win the tournament. However, the team’s performance against Croatia was excellent. The Spanish team overcame one of the most competitive European teams of the last decade, scoring through a dizzying attacking style rarely seen since 2008 in the national team.
And if Spain’s feelings were good in their debut, the match against Italy has unleashed even more the state of euphoria among Spanish fans. Against the current European champion, Spain excelled in football. Luis de la Fuente’s team was an offensive gale, which could only be stopped by an inspired Donnarumma – nine stops in the game – and the lack of aim of the Spanish attackers – 20 shots -. Through a vertical game, Spain reached the Italian goal from all sides, combining wing play with interior play.
A great game from ‘la Roja’ whose score did not honor them, with a scarce 1-0 due to an own goal by Calafiori. However, this lack of efficiency did not tarnish a victory in which Spain, for the second time in its history, managed to advance as first in the group to the crossroads with one match left to play – the previous occasion was in the aforementioned Euro Cup. 2008–. Now, the great subject of this team must be, as Luis Aragonés’ Spain did, to continue growing with the advancement of the championship.
It is up to Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Nico Williams and Fermín to be the protagonists of a new generation that allows Spanish football to dream, not only of winning this Euro Cup, but also of laying the foundations for a team that can fight for the major championships in selections over the next decade. Although before that, the most immediate challenge for this group will be to demonstrate their maturity, despite their youth, in all-or-nothing matches such as crosses.