On July 2012, 4, the Spanish football team beat Italy at the "Olympic Stadium" in Kyiv, won 0:XNUMX and defended the European title.
Those were the years when Spain dominated, when they defended their title at the Euros, and in between won the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. "Furija" played phenomenally then, the famous tiki-taka was conquering the world, but after Euro 2012 there was a lull.
With the exception of the League of Nations, the Spanish have not played in the final of a major competition for exactly 12 years. After winning the world title in 2010, the "fury" at the World Cup never made it past the round of XNUMX, while the final reach at the European championships was the semi-finals three years ago.
But this summer everything changed. The Spaniards did not arrive in Germany as big favorites for the title, but they delighted the public with their games at the championship and fully deserved their place in the fifth European final.
"Furija" defeated France 2:1 in Munich on Monday, after a turnaround, and on Sunday (21) they will fight for their historic fourth title in Berlin. If he is champion, Spain will be the team with the most titles. Currently, Germany also has three cups, while Italy and France have two.
Behind the "fury" is a great championship - from the first round and victory over Croatia (3:0), all the way to the semi-finals with the "tricolors", Spain was the selection that showed the most.
- We were perfect. In the first half, we had several situations to threaten them in counterattacks. In the second half, we were more tactical - said the "fury" coach, Luis de la Fuente, after the semi-final against France.
The final is on Sunday, and De la Fuente points out that it doesn't matter who the opponent is.
- The final is always different compared to other matches. We have to do our best. And, although it will sound strange, we still have room to improve the game - believes the coach of Spain.
De la Fuente has worked with the younger selections for years. He was the selector of the youth, young, Olympic team of Spain.
- I trust this group of players, they always know what they are doing. We are hungry, we want the title. I am proud to be able to guide them on that path. I know they can provide even more. And I'm pretty sure it will be like that in the final - said De la Fuente.
16-year-old Lamin Jamal captivated the European and world public. He played phenomenally in the tournament, and then scored the most beautiful goal at the Euros against France and became the youngest scorer in the history of European championships. The previous record holder was the representative of Switzerland, Johan Fonlanten, who has been undisputed in first place since 2004.
- Looks like he has a lot of experience. I'm happy to have him on our team. I hope that in the coming years we will be able to enjoy his games - said De la Fuente.
As expected, Jamal was named man of the match against France.
- I am delighted that we are in the final, but we haven't done the most important thing yet. We haven't won the title yet. We had some difficult moments against France. We didn't expect to concede a goal early - explained Jamal.
Then he also talked about the spectacular goal.
- I was aiming for that corner. But I try not to think too much about what's going on. I just want to enjoy myself and help the team. I came here to win every match and to celebrate my 17th birthday with my teammates - said the Barcelona player, who will turn 17 on Saturday.
But it was not only Jamal who marked the game against the French. Dani Olmo, the scorer of the second goal, was also in the foreground. And before the goal, he kicked Chuameni out of the game with a fantastic feint.
- We are close to the goal. We are one step away from the dream. We have an amazing team - we work so hard to achieve all this. We deserve to be in the final. We played a great match against France. I am not interested in who will be our opponent in the final - said the Leipzig player.
Olmo scored two goals in the championship and has three assists. David Silva had such an effect at the Euro in 2012, when the "fury" won the title.
- I know what Olmo is capable of. He needed time to recover from the injury and find the right rhythm. I am grateful to him for what he does on the field. I am grateful to have 26 geniuses on my team. We have a young team, with the future ahead - De la Fuente concluded.
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