The Spain there has finally arrived: 44 years after his first success on the continental scene, it comes second to win the European title in its history. A goal by Fernando Torres will be sufficient to selection Iberian to beat Germany (1:0), in the finals of UEFA EURO 2008, and down the streets in an entire nation. This is a people that is reconciled and with his national team because of the victory but also by the practiced Thursday. A spectacular football, from beginning to end.

"They were constant. Throughout the competition until the last minute of the final, they have always played the same level. They deserve the title of champions of Europe," said breeder German Joachim Löw after coup final whistle.

It is true that each of its six outings earth Austrian selection headed by Luis Aragones has dazzled by its quality and character of its strong offensive Thursday "This is what all want those who love football. The team of Spain will inspire more than one, because it proposed a model football. From the moment the group was well managed, the victory we belonged. We won with the manner, "the Spanish technician with pride.

Obviously, the Sage of Hortaleza was able to take advantage of one of the best players of generations of Spanish football. At 69 years and 337 days, he also became the oldest coach to win the EURO. It could also continue for a long time with figures edifying. La Furia Roja has lost over the past 22 meetings (19 wins and 3 matches zero). His last defeat dates back to November 2006, during a friendly match against Romania (0:1).

Not so crazy that it
Luis Aragones has taken up the challenge of youth ... and has succeeded. In Austria and Switzerland, the hero of Vienna formed the third selection in the least seasoned international level. This lack of experience was largely offset by detonating a mixture of determination and cap. The pequeños locos ( "little crazy"), as has sometimes nicknamed the Spanish press, have been able to make indispensable despite their young age. The midfielder Cesc Fábregas Arsenal is the perfect illustration. The Catalan was one of the first Spaniards to take the path of England, where he won in reliability. He was then followed by the only goal scorer of the finals, Fernando Torres and Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeola, which together form the backbone of the Reds of Liverpool.

As the executives of this team entering history, their names Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Marcos Senna, Xavi Hernandez and Carlos Marchena. Despite their status, they still have great years ahead of them, like Joan Capdevilla, Xabi Alonso and David Villa. Add the aforementioned kids Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Sergio García, Ruben de la Red and Fernando Navarro, and you get a team tantalizing potential.

"It's hard to stop us"
The Spain concluded the tournament with the most prolific attack, what it owes in part to David Villa (top scorer of the competition, with four outputs). But crediting the 12 goals registered by the selection Iberian returned primarily to its richness in the offensive. Fernando Torres and Dani Güiza (2 goals), Cesc Fábregas, Ruben de la Red, Xavi Hernandez and David Silva have also found their way nets. Match after match, this new and talented generation has come to overshadow the non-selection of Raúl.

"We managed to train a group of high technical quality and handling the ball well. I think it is difficult to stop us, analysis Luis Aragones. We like to have possession of the ball. Without it, we suffer. By making good move, we end always find a loophole. "

Undoubtedly, the key to success lies in a Spanish midfielder, which is packed with talent. Xavi Hernandez (named best player of this UEFA EURO 2008), Andres Iniesta and David Silva have never been short of ideas in creation. At the same time, the Hispano-Brazilian Marcos Senna was inexhaustible in his role of recovery, while regular support from its attackers. "By winning the Euro, we have shown that physical appearance is not necessarily first. The physical is important in modern football, but as a complement. What counts above all is to play ball. physical comes after, "said Xavi.

The abundance of midfielders large class is such, among champions of Europe, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fábregas have often endorsed the range of replacement of luxury. The Arsenal player has even started on the bench five of six games played by Spain. Each time, his contribution was decisive. This was particularly true in the semi-final against Russia. Entered in place of Villa, injured, it was the author of two decisive passes. Less known but no less effective than his two acolytes in his role as spares, Santi Cazorla has impressed at each of its entries on Thursday It has often been the cause of the second breath of Furia and, through its technical and precise strikes on both feet, he was always allowed to remain dangerous until the end.

If the owners have dazzled, replacements have not been left as they are offered Greece, holding the trophy until Sunday evening. Happy omen? Obviously yes, but also proof of the feeling solidarity prevailing in the group. We knew it was a great spirit of camaraderie in the locker room. This has resulted in an extraordinary mental strength on the ground.

The best defence is attack
"Technically, the Spaniards have a lot of qualities. They are very strong when they are in possession of the ball. They know to keep it, to circulate, and the youngest are at the same level as other", recognized by German breeder After the final. "We won all our matches and we have demonstrated that the game offensive has yet beautiful day in front of him. It's a good thing for football. We have also shown that Spain has not erred in making Leap to attack, "said the striker David Villa.

Joachim Löw not mistaken him neither, when he attributes much of the success to his young Spanish custody. For there is already some time that the so-called small madmen have forged ties of unity that is their strength, which enabled them to suffer together and win together. The captain Iker Casillas, Carlos Marchena and Xavi Hernandez were all three part of the Spain team that won the World Cup U-20 FIFA, Nigeria 1999. Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fábregas, David Silva, Fernando Torres, Raul Albiol and José Manuel Reina also made their classes in the versions of the Cadet Roja.

With three goals conceded in six outings, Spain is the team's most hermetic of the Austro-Swiss competition, confirming the maxim that the best defence is attack. "We showed the world that a certain conception of football, that of a football offensive, was still alive and well. This victory will perhaps reference to Spanish football. In any case, and we need to believe in we, our philosophy of the game ", summarizes the goalkeeper Iker Casillas, a hero of the series of shots on goal in the quarter-finals.

And what about the central hinge consists of Carlos Puyol, Carlos Marchena, often given as the Achilles heel of the Selección? The two men have simply never stopped climbing in power during the competition, greatly facilitating the task of Casillas. They themselves have been well supported by Joan Capdevilla, intractable on the left flank, and Sergio Ramos, effective right after the beginning of a tournament certainly laborious. True lock at the rear, Madrid has never hesitated to use its corridor for offensive purposes as soon as the opportunity arose.

Tributes ... and winks
The least we can say is that the celebration was the measure of expectation. While at Madrid, supporters n'imaginaient no other scenario that their night to celebrate until the return of heroes, they gave it to heart joy on the lawn of the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. Symbols strong in support, Sergio Ramos wearing a T-shirt bearing the effigy of his friend Antonio Puerta (Seville player who died in August 2007) and Iker Casillas, dedicating the victory to Dr. Genaro Borrás (doctor of the Spanish selection , Who died recently).

On a somewhat more in line with the general feeling in the camp Iberian Senna has been the flag of Villarreal, the club which was revealed in Spain. The third goalkeeper Andres Palop, he went searching with his medal on the jersey shoulders of a certain Luis Arconada, if unfortunate in the finals of the 1984 edition on the free kick by Michel Platini. Sympathique wink of history, the clerk to surrender the cup and medals was none other than the now President of UEFA. The former leader of the Bleus had invited the rest of which he was the executioner 24 years ago. The buckle was fastened, the biggest amusement "Platoche," which had a big smile commending the doorman Spanish.