Five years ago it would have seemed impossible, but the seemingly perennial major tournament underachievers Spain have now made history; winning three consecutive major tournaments.
Indeed, Spain first lifted the 2008 European Championships in Vienna with a 1-0 victory over Germany, before grabbing hold of the World Cup two years later in South Africa after an extra-time triumph over the Netherlands. And on Sunday they became the first team ever to make it three on the trot, when they defeated Italy 4-0 to lift the 2012 Euros in Kyiv.
The Spanish team came into the tournament with many people arguing it’d be impossible to claim a third consecutive triumph, given no side had previously done it and the fatigue seen in the Barcelona camp late in the European season. The team also had their detractors during the tournament for their tiki-taka style, which bored some people. Despite all that, Spain came out on top.
Player of the Tournament Andres Iniesta said: “This achievement is unique. It’s magical. Something that cannot be repeated. We still haven’t really realised how great this is. Spanish football is living great years. We are very complete as a football side and we have to be proud of that.”
Indeed, the Barcelona midfielder speaks the truth and the plaudits have come from everywhere since, including the Spanish press.
Some of the headlines read “Legendary Champions”, “Dream Team”, “Spain Wins The Impossible” and “Spain Rewrites History”. Indeed, this is a once in a generation type of side, as their achievements explains. It’s hard to imagine any other side matching their triumphs in a long time.
And the next question everyone is beginning to ask is can they build on it? Can they go all the way again in two years time in Brazil and lift the Fifa World Cup?
Italy and Brazil are the only two nations to manage back-to-back World Cups, both coming more than 50 years ago. In recent times, the likes of 1998 winners France or 2006 champs Italy have found the going tough four years later. But this Spanish side are a completely different story.
They’ve already made history becoming the first back-to-back European champion and the first team to win three major tournaments in a row. What is next, anything’s possible when you’re this good.