Posted on
6/11/2010
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On June 22, 2008 a significant shift occurred in European football.
It was on that day Spain beat a tired-looking Italy 4-2 on penalties in the quarterfinals of the 2008 European Championship, on route to their first major international title at the senior level since last winning the same competition in 1964.
The defending World Cup champion, Italy, looked thoroughly defeated over the 120 minutes. Spain held a 26-12 edge on shots and 57% - 43% advantage in possession. If Italy had still somehow managed to slog through on penalties, it would have been undeserved.
The psychological implications of beating Italy in their favour, Spain then routed Russia 3-0 in the semifinal and raised the trophy by defeating Germany – Europe’s other superpower to Italy – with a Fernando Torres strike for a 1-0 final in Vienna.
As the embedded BBC video to the right correctly claims, old regimes fell and Spain emerged.
For an undoubtedly talented Spanish squad dogged by disappointments of tournaments past, winning the Euro and defeating Italy and Germany in the process, was the best way it could announce its intent for the 2010 World Cup.
While the power structure in the world’s other influential football region, South America, remained unchanged in the 2004 and 2007 Copa America tournaments (Brazil first, Argentina second), in Europe there’s a shift.
Italy and Germany still strike fear in the hearts of its opponents, but they themselves are afraid of Spain.
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| Fernando Torres and Spain will be racing ahead of the pack. (Getty) |
This is the team that boasts a strike partnership of David Villa and Torres, there isn’t another like it in the world.
Spain’s midfield – guided masterfully by Xavi – is so deep, that in 2008 Arsenal superstar Cesc Fabregas could only secure a place on the bench due to Xabi Alonso’s ability to play the holding role to near perfection. Never mind that in a moment’s notice he can spray 40-yard passes and score goals from the same distance, Alonso provides a thorny disruption of opposition momentum when called upon.
In the back, mostly a Barcelona-Real Madrid split sees a set of defenders committed to protecting captain Iker Casillas’ goal. They also love to attack. Spanish defenders rise with anticipation on every set piece, determined to win the ball each time.
If Casillas should get hurt – not out of the question in this injury-riddled tournament – Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes are two of the ten best goalkeepers in Europe lying in wait.
The only potential pitfall of Spain may be that they are set-up to play one of Brazil or Portugal in the first knockout stage following group play, should there be no surprises in the first round.
But as they triumphed over Italy and Germany in 2008, they are well equipped to take on any major side in whatever round of the World Cup in South Africa.
Spain for the title.
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