Spain Hopes to End 13-Year Drought Without European Championship Silverware

Euro 2024 presents Spain with an opportunity to reach a feat that no other team in Europe has achieved: win a fourth EURO championship. La Roja clinched the title in 1964, 2008, and 2012 (main image), making them the joint most successful European national team. Their successful title defence in 2012 made them the only team to date to win consecutive European Championships.

After exiting the tournament in the semi-finals, the Spaniards will be looking to make another deep run in the competition this year. Spain was knocked out of Euro 2020 by eventual winners Italy on penalties. During their final run three years ago, La Roja finished the group stage unbeaten and sailed past Croatia and Switzerland in the knockout rounds before meeting their end. The following year, Spain failed to replicate their deep run at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, losing again on penalties to Morocco in the Round of 16.

Spain has since shown signs of a resurgence, clinching the 2023 Nations League and also finishing top of their Euro qualifying group. Luis de la Fuente’s men have gone unbeaten since their disappointing World Cup campaign and are in good form to face some of Europe’s other elite teams this summer.

As one of the top teams in the Euros, Spain tickets are expected to be in high demand. The 2010 World Cup winners will travel to Germany with a balanced mix of young talents and experienced players. Here, we preview Spain’s EURO 2024 campaign, from squad roster to their potential path to the championship.

Spain’s Roster is Filled with Depth, Youth, and Creativity

On the surface, La Roja’s potential squad for the Euros doesn’t seem as formidable compared to other favourites like France and England. But an analytical breakdown of this roster shows they have every chance to go all the way in Germany.

De la Fuente’s appointment came as a shock to many due to his lack of experience as a coach, with the 61-year-old manager even claiming he was surprised to be given the job. However, the national team has continued to flourish under his leadership and is showing signs of the dominant Spanish team that took the world by storm during the Vicente del Bosque-led era. De la Fuente has been praised by football pundits for his strategic mind and how he has been able to successfully bring back La Roja’s Barça-esque possession football.

How Spain Could Line Up at Euro 2024

As we wait for Spain’s official roster announcement, de la Fuente will go into the strategy room knowing that he has all the weapons he needs to get the job done. As a former coach of Spain’s U-19, U-21, and U-23 teams, he is familiar with some of the players in the senior team and should know how best to utilize this squad effectively.

De la Fuente has relied heavily on full-backs since he first took over as Spain’s mastermind, and he will have lots of young options at his disposal: Alex Grimaldo, Pedro Porro, Gaya, and five-time Champions League winner Dani Carvajal, who could contribute the much-needed experience for this young core. All four players can create fast-break opportunities and deliver deadly balls into the opponent’s box.

La Roja will be without the 2023 Golden Boy runner-up Alejandro Balde, who has been sidelined since January, but they have the right pieces to make up for his absence. Spain also has several centre-back options to choose from at the Euros, with Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres, Dani Vivian, Robin Le Normand, and exciting 17-year-old Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi.

Expect Spain to line up in its traditional 4-3-3 formation with Rodri, whom many believe to be the best defensive midfielder in the world, controlling the gameplay. Rodri has been spectacular for Manchester City this season and has continued to fill the shoes of the retired Sergio Busquets perfectly. He will undoubtedly be the most important player on the Spanish roster at the Euros, and his exceptional leadership, playmaking, and timely defensive stops will be key to Spain’s success this campaign.

Youngster Pablo Gavi suffered a season-ending injury in November during Spain’s Euro qualifier against Georgia. The absence of the 18-year-old, who has been one of de la Fuente’s strongest midfield pillars, will be a huge loss to La Roja this summer. Nevertheless, de la Fuente will still have the luxury of fielding other quality midfielders in Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, and Mikel Merino.

De la Fuente has also been able to incorporate a center forward into his formation, a position that hasn’t been clearly defined in a majority of Spain’s squads over the years. He will likely deploy Alvaro Morata in this position. The Atletico Madrid forward has impressed this season at the club level, scoring 20 goals in all competitions and was also a vital piece in Spain’s EURO qualifiers, scoring four goals in six games.

Morata will be joined by the fast-paced Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and potential 2024 Golden Boy winner Lamine Yamal, who has continued to take the world by storm at just 16 years of age. Yamal is one of the top players to watch at this year’s tournament, and that says a lot considering the array of stars that will feature in Germany.

Spain in the Euro “Group of Death”

Spain’s quest for a fourth European Championship will not be as easy as they would have hoped. De la Fuente’s men were dealt a difficult path to the knockout stages last November and will have to battle it out with Albania, 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, and defending Euro champions Italy in Group B. Winning this group will set Spain up to face the best third-placed side from either Group A, D, E, or F, which could potentially be Scotland, Austria, or Turkey.

If Spain qualifies for the quarter-finals, they could likely face Germany. A win could see them face Portugal or Belgium in the semi-finals, provided either of these teams win their group. La Roja could potentially face France or England if they make it to the final of the Euros.

Spain’s road to Euro 24