European Football Championship: Spain starts a new era after winning against England

“Viva España!” With these words, coach Luis de la Fuente said goodbye to the European Championships. On Monday the new European champions went back home. “Long live Spain” – that will resonate. As usual singing, like from the fans in the stands of the Berlin Olympic Stadium or in the streets at home. And in terms of sport, this hit song after the 2-1 final win against England describes more than just the Spanish footballers’ first title win in twelve years.

Record at the first tournament

With their fourth title win, Spain is now record European champions. At the next continental tournament in Great Britain and Ireland in four years, only the German national team can catch up. Because not only the European Cup, but also the trophies for the player of the tournament and the best young footballer were on board for the trip home to Madrid, a similarly successful period as in the years 2008 to 2012 does not seem unrealistic. The Spaniards were too dominant at this European Championship: seven games, seven wins – a record as well as the 15 goals scored in total. And that at the first tournament with coach de la Fuente.

“We are ready for the next challenge,” announced Nico Williams in the catacombs of the Olympic Stadium. He was asked about the upcoming World Cup. The 22-year-old scored 1-0 against England after an assist from Lamine Yamal, who was five years his junior. While Williams was voted player of the match, Yamal received the trophy for the best young player of the tournament. Not only, but these two in particular represent “a young, talented team that still has a great future ahead of them.” The conviction with which the coach says such sentences also speaks for itself.

Historic Englishmen

Gareth Southgate also confirmed that “Spain was the best team of the tournament”. For the English and their coach, this European Championship could have lasted a little longer. “Don’t take me home” – English fans have been singing more and more often over the past four weeks about not wanting to be taken home. And louder and louder with every advance her team makes. After five very difficult performances, the English footballers deserved to win the semi-final against the Dutch.

The “Three Lions” also achieved something historic. Southgate himself recalled this: “It was the first final outside England.” However, the coach and his team were not really convinced. In the final they managed to stop the Spanish offensive for at least half. With either a four-man or five-man chain, they prevented attacks from the flanks, while Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo closed the middle in front of the defense.

A simple one-two

However, the defeat was not only a result of the fatigue mentioned by the English coach, but rather the persistence of the opposition’s offensive drive, which was nice to see. After Williams’ opening goal in the 47th minute, the Spaniards had many more opportunities to decide the game. The short English period of hope after the surprising equalizer by Cole Palmer ended with a simple one-two: Mikel Oyarzabal to Marc Cucurella and the return to Oyarzabal, from whose toe the ball found its way into the goal in the 86th minute.

“Spain was the better team today too,” said Southgate, a fair loser. He takes home the accusation of not playing profitable football. It will be difficult days in England: the great criticism at the beginning of the tournament has not been forgotten. In contrast, there is a historic record for English national teams: Southgate has brought the team to the final of a European Championship twice in a row. The 2018 and 2022 World Championships were also quite a success with fourth place and narrowly missing the semi-finals.

The first chapter

While Southgate didn’t want to talk about his future after his 102nd game as national coach, Luis de la Fuente was clear: “We’ll carry on.” He declared the contract extension a formality. And so the 63-year-old will continue to work with most of his “26 brilliant players”. At 28 years old, Rodri will continue to be the center of the team. He was named the best player of the tournament by UEFA on Sunday evening. When he had to be substituted at half-time in the final, according to de la Fuente, Martin Zubimendi immediately took “control of the midfield”. 26-year-old Dani Olmo became the top scorer in the European Championship with three goals. And the player in the game, Nico Williams, who was four years younger, said cautiously: “I think we have written history.” Most likely just the first chapter.

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