Spain has become a new European Champion: What Made it Possible?

The European Championship ended on July 14. Spain won the title of European champion for the fourth time in its history. As a result, it established a new record because none of the teams managed to win such a number of titles. Previously, it shared first place with Germany, when both teams managed to win the European Championships three times. True fans of football were excited to see who managed to get a European Cup in 2024. Bettors who placed their bets on Spain’s victory through the GGBet online platform received substantial winnings due to a successful game of their favorites. But what made it possible for Spain to beat a no less powerful team of England? Let’s look through the reasons.

1. Comparison to the team’s condition in 2008.

On the eve of Euro-2024, there were rumors in Spain that “Furia” was going to the continental championship with a strange, to say the least, composition. For example, many worthy players (Vazquez, Porro, Pau Torres, Marcos Llorente, Aleish Garcia) ended up outside the national team, and “not very worthy” ones (Ayose Perez, Vivian, Fermin, Navas) received a call to the country’s main team.

It’s not a secret that the playing power of “Real” (and “Barcelona” as well) is not the first season to be determined by the legionnaires. Therefore, de la Fuente had no choice but to look for talent outside the two Spanish hegemons. And he managed to find them.

Moreover, another detail surfaced. It turned out that in 2008 when Spain climbed to Olympus for the first time after many decades, the team of Luis Aragones also had enough relative “no-names.” In particular, Aragones attracted players from Getafe, Mallorca, Zaragoza, Betis, Atlético, and Valencia to the first Spanish national team. And that team managed to become the champion of Europe.

2. A successful coach.

Luis de la Fuente cannot boast of a stellar career as a player or significant achievements as a coach. However, he achieved success as the head of the youth Spanish national teams. The national association believed that the coach who won with the Spanish youth would also win with the country’s main team.

At first, the choice of the new coach of “Furia” was received ambiguously in Spain itself. And when his team lost away to Scotland at the start of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, this ambiguity turned into open hostility. However, everything changed after the Spanish national team became the winner of the League of Nations under the leadership of a new coach. It was not the heaviest trophy, but it was perceived as a perfect option during that time “fishlessness.”

And after the defeat by the Scots, the Spaniards won the rest of the qualifying matches.

The new coach is trying to rebuild the team’s game in a new way. He understands that “tiki-taka” is already a thing of the past. De la Fuente’s football is more linear than that of his predecessor. However, this football is sharpened precisely for the result. And the result cannot be denied.

3. Denial of single possession of the ball.

The approach to Spain’s gaming tactic changed after the 2022 World Cup. At the World Cup in Qatar, Spain could no longer turn possession of the ball even into a game advantage. And this component, which previously brought fruit to the team, now became its real scourge.

The Spanish failed at the last World Cup, but the team’s new coach, Luis de la Fuente, has charted a new course. Now, Spain is focused primarily on intensity, a quick transition from defense, and the realization of moments.

In the match against the Croatian national team, the Spaniards conceded possession to the opponent for the first time in a long time. They possessed the ball for a “measly” 47% of the playing time. This is the first time since the memorable Euro-2008 final that Spain has lost to an opponent in this game component. Instead, they won without options against a very strong opponent. A new tactic has brought obvious results.

4. Rodri and Yamal.

This point concerns the necessity of relying on really skilled players, regardless of their age. After the final, UEFA named the best player of the European Championship. Rodri, the midfielder of the Spanish team, has received this title. If we recall the phenomenal Spanish national team of the beginning and middle of the “tenths”, then probably Rodri is the only one from the current generation of players who could break into that team.

UEFA technical observers also determined the best young player of the Euro. Of course, the award went to 17-year-old prodigy Lamin Yamal. Young Yamal has already set several records at this year’s European Championship. However, he is not only the youngest but also the most mature player. Without any doubt, these talents led their team to the triumph.

5. McGregor’s prediction.

It’s just a funny observation, but it appeared to be true. Former UFC world champion Conor McGregor bet more than eighty thousand dollars (83,500) on the Spanish national team’s victory at Euro-2024. As a result, he won more than one million dollars and made such a present for his birthday.

Together these five factors enabled Spain to perform successfully and finally win the European Championship 2024.