ICYMI – Spain vs. Uruguay

Spain took on Uruguay in a friendly in Doha, Qatar on Feb. 6, winning 3-1 behind two goals from Pedro and one from Cesc.  This game was also Carles Puyol’s 100th, making him the seventh Spaniard to reach that magic number.  As for Vicente del Bosque, he tied Ladislao Kubala as the coach with the most number of games under his belt, 68, since taking charge four and a half years ago.

¡campeones 2012! – the celebration

Even though this was our third trophy in four years, I’ll never get tired of the sight of Iker Casillas lifting a beautiful cup up.

¡campeones 2012! – the game

July 1, 2012.

Another historical date for La Roja.  Spain made history by becoming the first national team to win two consecutive Eurocopas, with a World Cup sandwiched in between, when it beat Italy 4-0 (in the highest scoring final in history) to close out the 2012 edition of the Eurocopa.

day 38 – to the final (II)!

June 27, 2012.

ELEVEN.   The first thing Cesc did after scoring the decisive penalty was run over to Iker and jump into his arms.  It was reminiscent of David Villa four years ago, no?  Although this time around no one ended up on the ground with their shirts off, it was still a pretty fantastic celebration.

day 38 – to the final (I)!

June 27, 2012.

We are through to the final!  It took more than two hours and quite a few heart pounding moments, but Spain will be playing in the final of the 2012 Eurocopa against Italy.

ONE.  Prior to the game, we had the players all listening to music through huge headphones (especially Fernando Llorente), texting or both simultaneously.  Meanwhile, Xabi had to have his coffee and Pepe his beer.

days 34 & 35 – to the semifinals!

Spain beat France for the first time in an official game!  And Xabi Alonso couldn’t have had a better 100th game with the national team – reaching that number was already an achievement in and of itself, and then he had to go score twice, lead his team to victory and qualify his country for the semifinals as well.  Muy, muy jefe.

Xabi was head and shoulders above everyone else, and not just literally…

day 29 – to the quarterfinals!

June 18, 2012.

It’s time to break with the past!  France will be our next rival in the Eurocopa quarterfinals, and in the six official games played between Spain and France, Spain doesn’t have a single victory (one tie and five losses).  Out of the 30 games played, Spain’s balance is 13-6-11.  I still remember how painful it was when France eliminated us in the 2000 Eurocopa and the 2006 World Cup, so hopefully this time Spain will break with the precedence.  There’s no time like now!

As for the game that brought us into the quarterfinals, well, we had the “Parador Nacional” (“parador nacional” can mean this or someone who makes stops), who also happens to be a saint.

days 25 & 26 – taking care of business

June 14, 2012.

I just watched “The Dream Team Documentary” (which I highly recommend), and I saw many similarities with La Roja, namely how the best players from each team came together with the help of a coach very experienced in managing superstars, putting aside egos and club rivalries, to become one cohesive unit that dazzled the world with its spectacular play.  Do you see it?

ONE.  Prior to the game against Ireland, we had Iker showing off his tongue, and Xavi rallying his troops.