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Before too much time has passed, I feel compelled to say a word or two on Spain, beause it seems that for the first time one of my soccer teams actually accomplished what they were supposed to! How many times has a team looked so promising only to fail in quarter finals? Spain has been pulling that sort of nonsense for 44 years now. I have gone through this with Mexico too, though I am not sure that their selection ever looked as capable as Spain’s looked during this Eurocup.

When dealing with European teams, there are two sides I normally support, Spain and the Netherlands, the latter because I like the color orange and therefore as a kid I always supported the team (childhood teams are hard to die, just look at me and the Patriots) and the former because like it or not it is the Mother land.

During group play Eurocup 2008 both of these teams looked like they would be unstoppable, from the gates both sides were showing incredible form, Netherlands with a surprising attack and Spain with truly beautiful football, short passes that seemed to cut the midfield with ease. The difference only seemed to come during quarters, when Spain pulled through the way they were supposed to and Neatherlands failed too keep up.

The feat of beating Italy during quarters was of course a huge moral victory, particularly considering the fact that the game took place during the previously cursed (as far as Spain is concerned) July 22nd date and that it came down to penalty shootout. From then on, los Matadores seemed to get all the momentum they needed. It came down to the final, where they met up with German side that in all honestly was not looking to form and in my opinion never truly did. Somehow, by sheer luck, the Germans slipped as far as they did, even when they struggled so much with Turkeys entire bench (pretty much, since nine of their players were out due to injuries or suspension).

Nevertheless, if one team is known to be able to pull out enough muscle to do what it takes, the German side certainly would be that, so a final promising a showdown between Germany and Spain would be surely a good one. It was, for the most part and exciting game, low scoring sure, but not without excitement and in the end Spain finally got it well deserved victory, the only team that played without a hitch throughout the tournament, able to make the needed changes, out play their opponents and consistently deliver when it was needed.

So…there it is, Spain lifted its cup and I could not be more content. Now, lets hope Mexico can look at that team and do something similar.

-Fco.