Euro 2008
The triumph of artistry
Labelled by so many as a side who would forever be incapable of maximising their lavish talent, Spain have deservedly triumphed in a thrilling manner befitting a tournament that will linger long in the memory.
With a series of spectacular performances, they have finally translated the abundant potential they have so often possessed on paper into performance.
People will ask, with good reason, why Spain’s record has been so unimpressive in the 44 years since their last tournament victory. They have lacked a certain cohesiveness, not helped by vociferous Catalan and Basque separatism. Above all, however, they have been hampered by a lack of self-belief - a lack of belief amongst their players that they could replicate their own, often superb, club displays for their country. Scars were too easy to reopen.
In this sense Spain’s least impressive display, by far, of this superb tournament was their most significant. The penalty victory over Italy in the quarter-finals allayed the doubts inherent in previous Spanish teams. Thrice on June 22nd they have lost penalty shoot-outs. But not here, not this time, thanks to Iker Casillas’ two penalty saves.
Their fear of penalties, which knocked them out of tournaments in 2000 and 2002; their fear of Italy, their Mediterranean rivals who somehow, always found a way to cheat the footballing gods and triumph; and their fear of the quarter-finals, of which they had lost their last five. In the stroke of a couple of saves, however, all these demons had been exorcised. Spain were also suffused with a sense of freedom. Having beaten Italy - in the quarter-finals and on penalties - there was nothing more to fear. And, whatever happened thereafter, Spain’s tournament would be regarded as a triumph amongst their supporters.
And a triumph it proved to be. Russia, who had overpowered Holland with a performance of astonishing energy in the quarter-finals, were twice thrashed, with and without the inspirational Arshavin. Germany were a side who would test Spain to the limit - not so much in the quality of a limited side, bar Michael Ballack, but in the sense of inevitability a German victory has acquired over their incredible tournament history. Would this re-expose the traditional Spanish frailties? Emphatically not.
Spain’s performance in the final was wonderful, the only shame being their lack of penetration in front of goal. Yet, despite Spanish profilgacy, Germany were never able to seriously challenge their superemacy. In everything they did, Spain were superior, not only to Germany but to all the other teams in the tournament.
They had the tournament’s best goalkeeper in the exceptional Casillas, the most commanding defender in the tremendous Carlos Puyol, the most relentlessly biting midfielder in Marcos Senna and, most significantly, the most potent strikeforce. David Villa showed his clash throughout, the highlight being a phenomenal hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Russia that set the template for so much of what was to follow. Yet, when he was injured for the final, it would have been easy for the Spanish players to bemoan that, once again, the fates seemed to have conspired against them.
Easy, but for the presence of Fernando Torres. His dynamism, pace, positional sense, relish for the big-games and finishing ability lit up the Premier League last campaign, and did the same in this tournament. The highest compliment one can pay to his tournament-winning strike is it seemed so inevitable. At 24, he truly has a chance to become one of the greatest forwards in the game’s history. His international partnership with Villa, only 26, could define the 2010 World Cup.
Torres’ abundant promise mirrors that of his side - this is a team very much on the way up, as evidenced by an unbeaten streak stretching back to 2006. With many players of exquisite gifts not yet at their peak, led by Cesc Fabregas who displayed his artistry and panache in this tournament, Spain now have the opportunity to dominate international football for several tournaments, invigorated by this thoroughly merited victory. It was fitting that Spain, a side brimful of creativity, and attacking to their core, triumphed in an exceptional championship.
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Yes he is. But he was obviously very, very tired from Liverpool’s exhaustive season as lone striker, and didnt always show what he’s capable of.
Yet when it came to the crunch he was there and could have had a hatrick in the final.
He needs a rest. But come the new season he will be even better.
Strenght, lightening speed, skill, two great feet, eye for goal, heading ability (beating 6′7 defenders as we saw yesterday) he has it all.
Best striker in the world.
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