Every tournament from the World Cup to Euros, Spain are always placed by the fans and media as the favorites to win it. They do good prior to the tournament and as soon as they reach it they always know how to disappoint. So much so that the only trophies they have managed to win has been the Euro back in 1964 and which was played in their own soil. So after 44 years can Spain live up to the favoritism and once again reach European glory or is this just another failure waiting to happen?
After beating the World Champs Italy with a stunner of a goal by David Villa, everyone in Spain are proclaiming them the team to beat. After all they have been impressive defeating Argentina, France, Greece, and England. Yeah not bad. One was a World Cup winner and the other took second place. However, not that I am a pessimist, but these are only international friendly matches Spain does not play consistently great when the real moments of truth come, for when it really counts.
What can be taken out of these friendly matches is that of their performance and the steps to take to stamping their presence on the upcoming Euro. Yesterdays performance against Italy was very impressive they had control of the ball in the first half and displayed a well organized team. Italy used the match to test the waters with different players and eventually found the rhythm in the second half. They game was even in both ends but only a genius could crack open the match and the was David Villa. With this victory Spain's national side has given their country some hope in triumphing in Switzerland and Austria.
The victory is not the only thing exciting about this Spain but it is also the young blood that the team has. There are very few survivors of the last failure which was the 2006 World Cup, this is basically a new and improved team with few flaws in its scheme.
Casillas even though lately has not been in Superman form he is still number one choice. The defense looks strong with Ramos, Puyol, Marchena and Capdevilla. For me the finest defense for Spain in a long time.
The midfield also does not disappoint being the youngest in Europe and extremely talented. Made up with the likes of Cesc who is having a fantastic season, along with the Azulgrana duo Xavi and Iniesta who both have been Barcelona's best players lately. In the attack two of Europe's finest: Villa and Torres. The possibility of these two playing together is just about impossible as for now 'El Sabio' Aragones chooses to play with a 4-1-4-1 scheme but the idea of just having one of them in the attack brings fear to just about any rival team.
The team itself on paper sounds unstoppable and easily the favorites, but will this translate when it is time to play for the European Cup? This team has it in them to play against the best with no intimidation. It is a young team with talent and potential to go far. Can the young blood of Spain break their long lived curse and finally win or will they crash and burn like the past generation? The national side have been in debt to its people for way too long and maybe just maybe this can be the side that lives up to its hype.
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