IFX Soccer Blog 4: Euro Cup 2012 Final Recap – Spain 4 – Italy 0

On paper the game was fairly even as Spain outshot Italy 14(9) to 11(6) and out possessed the Italians only 52% to 48%. In reality Spain was passing and attacking beautifully from the beginning. The torrid pace opened up the game and made for exciting, end to end soccer. Italy looked frustrated after missing several attempts by Balotelli and Di Natale. The Italians had chances but they were stifled by the Spanish defense led by goalie Iker Casillas. The Real Madrid star only gave up one goal the entire tournament. Spain played excellent, swarming defense with the help of Pique, Ramos and Busquets. Coach Vicente del Bosque controversially did not start Spain’s notable striker Fernando Torres but Spain managed to score goals anyway.

Historically Spain was an underachiever having never won a Euro Cup or World Cup championship. That changed when Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the 2008 Euro Cup Final in Austria. In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Spain outlasted the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time. In 2012, España played conservatively through the tournament until it unleashed 4 goals in the final. What is left for this group of champions? World Cup 2014 in Brazil awaits Spain. It will be a difficult challenge to win a fourth consecutive title, this time on Brazilian soil. Spain will reinforce its case for best team of all time if it can pull off the feat!