Look Out for Spain
By: Martha | December 30th, 2007
Over the past couple of decades, Spain have developed a reputation of going into major tournaments with buckets of ability and high expectations, only to fall short over and over again. Failing to escape the group stages in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2004 still rankles, as do the World Cup quarterfinal losses of incredibly talented teams to Korea in 2002 and France in 2006.
And, going into Euro 2008, expectations are similarly high. Featuring an impressive mix of youth and experience, the team stumbled early with qualifying losses to North Ireland and Sweden and a late draw with Iceland, and coach Luis Aragonés’ job was thought to be in danger. They finished with a string of wins, though, including a merciless 3-0 thrashing of Sweden, and are consider by some to be the most talented team in all of Europe.
On one hand, given the ability in the side, you’re tempted to say that if they don’t win now, they never will. On the other hand, however, one of the most impressive things about the current team is its sparkling youth: Cesc Fàbregas, Sergio Ramos and Fernando Torres all have more than 20 caps (Torres has 45) and are younger than 24, suggesting a bright future for Spain. Queuing up to join the big boys, meanwhile, are a pair of dominating youth squads: The U-19s and U-17s both won European titles in 2007, making Spain the first nation to claim both trophies in the same year, and the U-17s finished second in the U-17 World Cup. The star of that team, Bojan Krkić — who, to be fair, could still choose Serbia at the senior level, though that seems unlikely — is already makes a place for himself at Barcelona.
I realize success at the youth level doesn’t necessarily translate to trophies in the big tournaments (Look at Portugal’s Golden Generation, which won everything in sight as kids and could only manage a second-place finish at Euro 2004 in their decade together in the senior side.), but things are looking awfully good for Spain for a long time to come.
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Comments
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They play some highly exciting football, as evidenced by that Sweden match last month. Yet they, like England, are perennial underachievers. Take the 2006 World Cup - they looked awesome, until Zidane single-handedly dismantled them in the knockout stage. I’d like to see them really challenge for Euro 2008. Fabregas is one of my favorite players.
Posted from
United States
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Zidane and a well-timed Henry dive, you mean. (:
Posted from
United States -
Martha, it’s all about the mindset of the players. Individually they are brilliant, but they have to believe and history always creeps in. All of them have to feel important, which is why I do not want Raul to return. (Sorry Corey). But the current shenannigans going on in Valencia will not help the National team at all. Damn you Koeman! Bojan is our future. He played for Spain in the under 20 world cup and just played for Catalunya in a friendly and had a cracking goal. Don’t forget Xavi, Iniesta, and Casillas!
Posted from
United States -
No matter what you say, we will still under preform in every competition. It’s in our blood.
Posted from
United States -
PS On a different note Luis Aragonés record is 29 wins 11 ties and only 4 losses. It’s only that his four losses have come at pretty inopportune times.
That in no way is me supporting the old man, but it should be said that he hasn’t lost 10 games either.
Posted from
United States -
I understand Elisa, and its why I would like to see Raul integrated into the national team before the EURO to see where he stands and how he can help. If he cant then by all means leave him at home, but he is far superior to a Luis Garcia or Dani Guiza. Surely a place in the squad, not neccesarily a starting role, is deserved based on his current form. But he is no longer the captain, that right has gone to Albelda, who I worry for if he stays at Valencia and does not play. Koeman, you may ruin our shot at a title.
Posted from
United States -
I’m not buying it. Until the Spaniards are standing on the podium and lifting the cup over their heads, they’re just cogs in European soccer’s hype machine.
Posted from
United States -
I have to say im not Spanish but do have a soft spot for them in tournaments since my national team dont qualify these days and i was loving the football they played in the world cup group stage but as usual they never keep their consistancy.
I think they may have trouble at Euro 08 aswell but i honestly believe they will win WC 2010 with the young talent that will have matured by then.They will have the two best strikers in the world with Torres and Bojan being assisted by iniesta and cesc, what talent! Portugal will not be far behind either although their youth teams have not hit the hieghts they should have recently, the likes of Bruno Gama was excellent at the Under 20 WC in Canada. Fingers crossed for a Spain v Portugal Final.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
Comparing England to Spain is an insult to Spain.
If I was Spanish, I would take offence.
Spain has a much more talented squad.
Posted from
United States -
I agree Romanista~ :p. No comparison, we qualified in style =).
Corey, I saw in person what Raul, Salgado and Cani did to the Nats at the World Cup in Germany. I don’t want Raul to come back and mess around with the chemistry and leadership of La Furia Roja. As Ryan mentioned, it’s in our nature to despair and teeter into the abyss. The drama at Los Ches is not helping. We need fresh blood who listen to our simian coach - good, bad or indifferent. It’s going to be a struggle regardless. Que viva España!
Posted from
United States
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