PREVIEW: Can EURO2024 end Spain’s twelve-year wait for silverware?

It’s certainly been something of a fall from grace for Spain. Of course, this is a nation which did the unthinkable to win three major tournaments in a row, with the 2010 FIFA World Cup sandwiched in between both EURO2008 and EURO2012. No side has ever achieved that before – and none have achieved it since. Spain themselves have never come close.

Twelve years is a long time in football. The almost deified team of that era is no more and unsurprisingly, the squads that attempted to follow that golden generation have, at best, fallen flat and, at worst, crashed and burned.

The result is that the mighty Spain have slipped back into the status of sleeping giants, desperately craving the trophy that was once a permanent fixture of their cabinet.

There has been a lot of managerial turmoil for la Roja. Vicente del Bosque, the man who masterminded the victories in 2010 and 2012, left after Euro 2016. Julen Lopetegui came and Julen Lopetegui very quickly left, handing former Real Madrid and Bolton man Fernando Hierro the reigns for the 2018 World Cup. Luis Enrique had two stints and Robert Moreno took over in between. All those jumped on and inevitably departed the managerial carousel – but they had one thing in common: disappointment.

It was the group stage in 2014; then the round-of-16 in 2016, the round of 16 again in 2018, the semifinals in 2021 and the round-of-16 yet again in 2022. The spark of those fabled Spain squads of Iniesta and Xavi has certainly dimmed.

Now, though, it’s Luis de la Fuente in charge and they’re playing well enough that there is hope of a first major trophy in over a decade.

After topping their qualification group with only one defeat – Scotland fans, revel in that one – la Roja would also go on to win the Nations League, beating Croatia on penalties in the final. Now, that’s not quite the major trophy they’ve been craving – but it’s a good indication that they might have what it takes to take that next step in Germany.

This year, they’ve played four and won two. Not great, not terrible – but their last couple of results have been excellent, beating Andorra and Northern Ireland in their warm up friendlies by an aggregate score of 10-1. As confidence boosters go, that’s not a bad way to build the excitement. 

As far as their squad is concerned, there’s no doubt it’s a different Spain to what we’re used to. The mysticism of the sides of old isn’t quite there anymore – but it’s a very exciting mix of youth and experience which should put the side in good stead.

Goalkeeper Unai Simón has already done two tournament runs and is crucial for the possession-based style Spain still depend on – even if his shot-stopping can sometimes come into question. His back line sees other regulars like former Manchester City man Aymeric Laporte, Real Madrid’s Champions League winning captain Nacho Fernández and their final goal-scorer Dani Carvajal.

Then there’s the middle of the park. Boasting arguably the world’s best midfielder in Rodri is certainly a useful asset to say the least. He’s joined by the hugely talented Pedri, PSG’s Fabián Ruíz and RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo. There’s a mix of everything in what could be the competition’s strongest midfield. 

At the top end of the team, there are no surprises in tournament staple Álvaro Morata, and he is joined by late-bloomers Joselu and Ayozé Pérez, the latter being perhaps the most surprising inclusion in the squad.

But the youth is what’s so exciting. Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will be making his tournament debut, and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams is one of La Liga’s most exciting players. 22-year-old Álex Baena has been a star for perennial overachievers Villarreal and Fermín López has exploded for Barcelona this season. In many ways, the addition of youth makes this the most exciting crop of Spanish players for some time.

But there is one straggler from the squads of old. Jesús Navas, at the ripe old age of 38, is the last remaining player from the side which won EURO2012, and he was even there in 2010 too. With a lifetime contract secured at boyhood club Sevilla, this could be his final run with the national team – and a third international trophy wouldn’t be a bad way to bow out.

With talent like that, their squad won’t be Spain’s main hindrance; finding themselves in the proverbial group of death will. With Italy, Croatia and Albania to best before they can even think about the knockout stages, they won’t have an easy run as good as they are. But, with the talent at their disposal and the form they’re in, there’s no reason to suspect they can’t break their 12-year trophy drought.

So, underestimate Spain at your peril; they’re a side which could go all the way.