Spain make history with Euro triumph

, 1 July, 28comments  |  Jump to most recent
Euro2012 reached its climax with the final in Kiev this evening where Spain became the first nation to win three successive major tournaments with an emphatic 4-0 victory over luckless Italy.

Having won Euro2008 and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, they added an unprecedented third crown in a row, conceding just one goal along the way and going more than 500 minutes with a clean sheet for goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

The Spaniard's roared into a 2-0 lead thanks to David Silva's 14th minute header and a superb goal by Jordi Alba where he started and finished a move that swept through the Italian defence at warp speed, the new Barcelona left back slotting home after receiving a defence-splitting pass from Xavi in the 41st minute.

Reeling from the reverse scenario of their semi-final win over Germany, Cesare Prandelli's men were already struggling to get back into the game when third substitute Thiago Motta suffered an injury just minutes after replacing Riccardo Montolivo, leaving Italy chasing the game at a man's disadvantage.

That left Del Bosque's side with the space they needed to complete their demolition job, Fernando Torres coming on to score the third and then claim the tournament Golden Boot with an assist for Chelsea teammate Juan Mata late on.

Pre-match, Everton captain Phil Neville on BBC Radio 5 live:

"We'd all love to play the Spanish way, and they're still the best team in Europe. Italy, for me, have played fantastically well. They entered with a lot of scandal surrounding them, and that created a siege mentality.

"There's a massive rivalry between both countries in this massive game, but for me Spain are favourites. They've won the last two major tournaments and they've got the players with the greater confidence.

"Spain have gone into a lot of games in this tournament playing without a striker. When you're constantly winning and improving you need to find other ways of playing.

"There's been a lot of negativity surrounding this Spain team, particularly after their victory against Portugal. I think it's unfounded. They play fantastic football. They probably need a little more speed, but they've still played the best football at Euro 2012."

Quotes or other material sourced from BBC Sport



Reader Comments (28)

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Keith Glazzard
1 Posted 01/07/2012 at 18:18:04
I've got 1-1 in 'el porro', the sweep in a local bar here in Spain so I would be 20euros or so better off if it wasn't a feast of football. Italy are definitely up for it, and my Spanish mates are nervous.

Four years ago Fernando Torres looked like the future for Spain, then he went to England where he was taught how to play badly. If he gets a chance tonight he could make a difference.

Kevin Tully
2 Posted 01/07/2012 at 18:36:17
Hope it is a draw Keith, I have put the Mortgage money on it !!

These big finals always seem to be tight affairs - draw & extra time seems likely.

Mark Riding
3 Posted 01/07/2012 at 19:39:09
Backed a sending off, along with a few of my usual favourites to be shown a card. Could be a dirty game this !
Kevin Sparke
4 Posted 01/07/2012 at 21:39:29
"Spain are boring" - Yeah... alright.

Fantastic display of football as it should be played - controlled precision in possession and closing down with speed and intelligent movement without the ball - every player with a job to do and every player excelling in that role.

Make the ball work when you've got it - work for the ball when you haven't.

Barry Rathbone
5 Posted 01/07/2012 at 21:48:55
Delighted real footballers prove once again tactics and all that baloney will never beat true skill.

Well done Spain, fine footballers without a "hoof" in sight.

It's like good triumphing over evil - it'll never catch on here though.

Kris Boner
6 Posted 01/07/2012 at 22:02:58
I wouldn't say that the Italians were evil though. I thought they were a reinvention under Cesare Prandelli...

Any chance someone could convince him to come to Everton. I would sell my soul and whatnot for that. I really think he has come some way since his Fiorentina days.

Mark Riding
7 Posted 01/07/2012 at 22:12:55
Kevin, the 'tempo' from Spain hasnt been there in some of the games, and the France game was boring for the neutral watching.
Top players in a big final tonight, the tempo was there and it was electric in the first half.
Knackered, 2-0 down, and playing with 10 men.. then Torres and Mata come on - now thats not boring.. its taking the piss !
Dean Adams
8 Posted 01/07/2012 at 22:19:47
Mark Riding
Agree about the France game. It was boring, however tonight was a masterclass. Just proves that you cant perform to that level in every match.
David Hallwood
9 Posted 01/07/2012 at 22:26:18
And Spaing have Moyes to thank for the success with Del Dosque copying Moyeses 4-6-0 formation........only kiddin
Mark Riding
10 Posted 01/07/2012 at 22:33:41
David, Moyes was probably at the game, continuing his Euro scouting mission !
Andy Crooks
11 Posted 01/07/2012 at 22:31:17
Agreed, Dean, Spain were magnificent. I don't think it was a triumph for football because I think that Italy also played football throughout. Unfortunately, though, there is a limited amount to be learned as the culture of our game is so entirely different. If the failure of the national team is the price to pay for retaining the excitement of the EPL then I think I'd happily pay it.

Someone, I can't recall who. was quoted in the press today as saying that England were clutching at the straw of being lesser players who over achieved rather than good players who underachieved.

Mark Riding
12 Posted 01/07/2012 at 22:44:25
Far too much agreement on this thread.. next we will agree that Ossie isnt as good as Messi, and Gibson isnt a left winger !
Trevor Lynes
13 Posted 01/07/2012 at 22:45:05
Fantastic final game and it was really great to see the Spanish side line up and clap the Italians at the end.
Spain have shown the rest of football that control, pass and move makes the game simple. They hardly ever dribbled but their teamwork was phenomenal and they literally wore the Italians down.
Italy played as well as they were allowed and lets face it Italy were good value for their win over Germany in the semi final.

The only plus for the England side was the fact that we were hard to score against and all our best players were in defence.

Tonights display showed the Spanish team are right up there with the great Brazil side of 1970.

When Hungary ripped England apart at Wembley in the 50's they caused us to change our system of play as they introduced the deep lying centre forward game which revolutionized football.

Spain have done the same 60 years later.
Their defence hardly concedes a goal and their passing and moving ability dominates possession.
They do not rely on long throw ins or bustling strikers, they just keep the ball....easy ??????

Tony McNulty
14 Posted 01/07/2012 at 23:00:46
The next formation development is the 10-0-0. You heard it here first. I wonder if anyone will try it or if anyone can think of anyone who might pilot it.
Trevor Lynes
15 Posted 02/07/2012 at 09:44:38
Tony #738... DM has used the method you mention on numerous occasions both home and away depending upon who we are playing. That's how we reached fourth place with a negative goal difference a few seasons ago. We were totally depending upon set pieces and created virtually nothing.
Keith Glazzard
16 Posted 02/07/2012 at 10:45:26
Just to add that I'm glad we all saw the same game. Spain's control, passing and movement could hardly have been better. And it was clean, and well reffed too.

What I do wish is that every English so-called bloody supporter could have been here in Spain to see how to party properly. A bit like the football - movement and control. Dancing in the street and some fearsome bangers - petards they call them - but trouble? Never. Drinks, but no drunks. The local police were, of course, on hand, but only to divert the traffic so the party could continue in safety.

When they ask me why I don't live here I sometimes find it hard to give a convincing answer. But I will be back for the United game.

Kevin Tully
17 Posted 02/07/2012 at 11:57:20
Told you it would be a tight game !! Ha.

( B.T.W. has anyone got any tips so I can recoup my losses ? )

Richard Dodd
18 Posted 02/07/2012 at 14:10:57
It was said before last Christmas that David Moyes had invented a new approach to the `beautiful game`... playing without a striker! With apologies to Louis Saha, that`s just about right – and it was bloody horrible!

Now with the success of Spain in Euro2012, the pundits are suggesting that all our clubs should adopt the style to be guaranteed overnight success.

We are told that `top managers` like Martinez and Rodgers have shown the way forward (just wonder at their finishing positions last season!) and theirs is the way forward for us all. What arrant nonsense!

Without the signing of Jelavic in the window, Everton would have finished the season scrapping against relegation. Relying on goals across the team is a very dangerous tactic – particularly if most of your team haven't a clue where the net is!

Now I wasn't around to wonder at the skills of Morrissey and Thomas but I bet most ToffeeeWebbers would opt for a good run down the wing and an accurate cross to a big centre-forward over the endless criss-cross passing that too often results in losing possession or a pass back to the keeper. Even Jose at Real Madrid knows his players can't pass it like Barcelona but just look who won the honours in Spain last season.

So, before we follow the experts by screaming for Moyes to pass other teams to death, let's just remember it's goals that count – a good winger and a second striker should remain more of a priority than signing the next Vinnie Samways!

James Flynn
19 Posted 02/07/2012 at 14:21:45
Want to mention Spain's defense. Italy did create a few chances but not much.
James Stewart
20 Posted 02/07/2012 at 14:52:08
Any comparison to Spain's system without a striker and ours when Moyes didn't play one is ridiculous. Totally different systems. You need the best technical players to play the way Spain do. We wouldn't be able to even attempt it with our midfield.
Eugene Ruane
21 Posted 02/07/2012 at 14:43:39
Kevin (782) I also lost a few quid (£50) on last night (made easier though by the fact I'd won £250 on Italy in the semi).

No complaints though, I think Spain were sensational - the run, pass and finish for their second, absolutely sublime (watched it about 12 times last night).

Would have liked to have seen what might have happened if that Italian header just after half-time had gone in (and..er. if Italy had saved a couple of subs).

Thought Alonso should have been booked though (3 or 4 tackles/fouls that might have got him a booking..imo)

Oh and Di Natale needs to learn to look at who is in front and/or behind him.

Brian Waring
22 Posted 02/07/2012 at 19:05:46
Alex Ferguson must be drowning himself in a bottle of scotch for missing out on Jordi Alba, and for a bargain £12m!
Phil Walling
23 Posted 02/07/2012 at 18:36:20
Whilst I can never recall Moyes going into a game without a nominal striker, it's true that some who have carried that job title have fallen well short in terms of delivering the goods.

Sad to say, `flying` wingers and `soaring` centre-forwards are a thing of the past and I'm struggling to recall who last truly merited those descriptions. Any advance on Thomas and Latchford, anyone?
Peter Mills
24 Posted 02/07/2012 at 19:18:57
Phil #824 - everyone gave up trying after the flying Reid and Gray duet - it could never be bettered!
Barry Rathbone
25 Posted 02/07/2012 at 19:57:45
Richard Dodd

Just the sort of thinking that has British football scaling the heights at international tournaments.

"if you can't beat them make sure you don't learn from them"

A bumber sticker if ever there was one.

Richard Dodd
26 Posted 02/07/2012 at 20:25:10
Barry, surely you are not suggesting that Moyes should send Everton out to play like the Spanish imposters at Wigan and Swansea, are you? A couple of defeats through not `keeping it tight` and you`d be screaming for his head!
Mark Riding
27 Posted 02/07/2012 at 20:38:48
Richard, I agree. Lets just see how Rodgers gets on playing as 'Swansealona' with Jonjo Shelvey, Carragher, Spearing and Andy Carroll next season then !
Mark Riding
28 Posted 03/07/2012 at 00:33:33
And just when I though the Spanish couldnt get any better.. I saw this !

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/iker-casillas-asked-ref-blow-final-whistle-early-215402761--sow.html?


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