UEFA Euros 2024 Previews: Spain
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next are 2010 World Cup winners: Spain!
Currently ranked as the ninth-best country in the latest FIFA rankings, Spain finished first in their Euro qualifications group, winning seven games and dropping one. Spain will prepare for the tournament with friendlies against Andorra and Northern Ireland. In the 2020 Euros, Spain lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Italy. Let’s see how they fare in this year’s competition.
Euro Appearances
Spain has qualified for the last seven Euros, with the upcoming Euro making it an eighth straight. The worst performance for the country was in 2004 when they were eliminated in the group stage in that span.
Best Finish at the Euros
The Spain National Team has won the Euros three times, including the second-ever Euros. Winning in 1964, 2008, and 2012, Spain is tied with Germany for the most Euros titles. Spain recently won the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League and will try to carry that momentum to the Euros.
Key players
Spain boasts one of the strongest rosters in the competition. Filled with a roster of talent, with multiple youngsters from FC Barcelona. Including 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, 17-year-old center-back Pau Cubarsi, with midfielders Pedri and Fermin Lopez.
The goalkeeper position for Spain is quite filled. With the likes of Premier League keeper for Arsenal David Raya and Copa del Rey Winner with Athletic Bilbao Unai Simon — Simon was the starting keeper in the UEFA Nations League final.
To hold down the midfield is the Premier League winner with Manchester City, Rodri. Spain will also have Ligue 1 winner with Paris Saint-Germain Fabian Ruiz to pair in the midfield.
Manager
Luis De la Fuente has been managing the Spain National Team since 2022, he has been able to lead the team to win the 2022-23 Nations League title. De la Fuente has progressed from managing the Spanish youth teams to the main team. From the youth to winning an international trophy, De La Fuente seems to have “La Roja” prepared for the competition.
Biggest Game – vs Italy on June 20th
Italy will be the hardest opponent for the “La Roja,” also being the team that knocked them out of the 2020 Euros. While Croatia has been performing well the last few years, I don’t see them beating a team as talented as Spain. If Spain were to get a draw against the Italians, facing off against Albania in the final group stage match would favor their knockout stage chances.
Prediction
Beating both Croatia and Albania, I don’t see Spain beating Italy. A draw is possible but a victory against them is unlikely. Spain will end second in their group and will face Switzerland in my prediction of the round of 16, where they eventually beat the Swiss. “La Roja” will face against England in the quarterfinals, where their run in the competition will end.
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