The Pinnacle
There are certain teams in the history of this beautiful sport, that reach the pinnacle, a perfect symbiosis of all elements is achieved, and it becomes etched in the history books forever. One such team is the Spanish generation of 2008 to 2012, a team held in the same regard as the “Magical Magyars”, the great brazil teams of Pele, Zico and R9, Cruyff’s Netherlands, etc. This Spanish team soared to heights that we may never see again, winning 3 major tournaments in a row, the 2008 and 2012 European championships, and in the middle sat their magnum opus, the greatest achievement in the history of Spanish football, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A feat that no other Spanish side had achieved. Possibly possessing the greatest peak of talent of any national team ever, they played a brand of football that mirrored the great Barcelona team of that time, incorporating many players from Guardiola’s side. Started Under Luis Aragones and taken over by Vicente Del Bosque, they reached magnificent heights that paved the way for the future of the game.
Making a golden generation work
When we talk about great teams, we obviously have to look at the players, shocking, I know. Like I said in the introduction, this squad had maybe the greatest collection of talent ever seen in a national team, consisting of players primarily of Barcelona and Real Madrid players, but that itself did not guarantee success. If we look at the English golden generation of the 2000s, the widely recognised reason for the failure was that, the club rivalries of the big English clubs, caused rifts between the cliques formed in the England camp, with this, there was never a proper cohesion in the squad and that would show on the pitch, this was the complete opposite of the Spanish side. This is not to say that the Barca-Real rivalry was not as intense as the English clubs, because it most definitely as, if not more fierce than the English rivalries, producing some of the most violent and hotly contested games ever, but the players did not allow that to get in the way of their goal. A goal to win everything possible, something that united them and made them put aside their club differences. The will to win for their country outweighed their connections to the Barca-Real rivalry, and it was clearly displayed on the pitch, playing with a chemistry and understanding that most club sides don’t achieve.
Let’s take a closer look at the individuals that made up this great dynasty, an important factor when talking about this team, and most great teams, are the leaders, a great team does not just have one captain, it has many leaders all setting examples and inspiring the rest. This Spanish side was special in this regard, as they were blessed in this department, from Carles Puyol to Xavi to Sergio Ramos, Spain had no shortage of players who were Captain material, and of course, the man who wore the armband and lifted the trophies, Iker Casillas was one of those players who inspired a generation. He had aspiring goalkeepers diving from post to post and putting their bodies on the line in an effort to emulate the great Spaniard. He played over 1000 professional games and is deservedly in the conversation for the greatest goalkeeper ever. An exemplary player, it’s no surprise how he was able to command the respect and admiration of some of the biggest personalities and talents in the game. As a defender it was impossible to feel more safe than when St. Iker was in-between the sticks.
He was in goal for the whole 4 years and lifting all 3 trophies, but the same could not be said for his defence, as they would change from each tournament, but the one constant was Sergio Ramos, the player who would take over from Casillas as Real Madrid captain and Winning the UCL three times in a row, he garnered a reputation as a bit of a rash defender with his frequent sending offs, but it was a risk worth taking, as his abrasive playing style was extremely affective on the international stage, starting at right back in 2008 by 2012, Ramos had become Spain’s primary centre half, and one of the most feared in his position. He was also extremely capable on the ball, essential to the team’s build up, Ramos was part of all 3 squads and established himself as one of the best defenders of the last 20 years.
let’s go in to the crux of this side. The midfield. When you talk about midfield depth, there is no greater example than this team. Imagine a scenario where the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata are not automatic starters, and players like David Silva have to be moved to the wing in order to play. But, no one was complaining, as the midfielders that did play, require no introduction. Two of the greatest that Spain has ever produced, they had an almost telepathic chemistry, they played together for club and country, Xavi and Iniesta were the beating heart of the team, making everything tick and making opposition midfields run ragged, without breaking a sweat. Few had a better understanding of the sport than these two. While being subtle as ever, almost camouflaging within the game, they also had their fair share of iconic moments, in the 2008 Euro final, Xavi Split the German defence, as Fernando Torres ran onto the pass and dinked it over Jens Lehman, the only goal of the game. They would repeat this feat in 2012 as once again Torres ran onto the end of a perfectly weighted ball by Xavi, which left the Italians dumfounded. This, combined with goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba and Juan Mata contributed to a dominant final showing, as Spain became the first side to ever win back to back European Championships. An achievement that perfectly encapsulates the dominance of Las Rojas.
An aspect of the side that is overlooked when people look back is the attack, a facet that has sometimes had to take a backseat to the amazing midfield. A midfield so amazing that in the Euro 2012 final, Manager Vicente Del Bosque played 4 defenders and 6(!) midfielders, with no recognised starting attackers.
The main perpetrator of this side’s attack, was Fernando Torres, who scored 16 goals from 2008 to 2012. Present in all 3 title winning teams, but shining in both the European championships particularly, Torres was a worthy outlet and runner for the midfield to rely on. Always able to run in behind, leaving defences scrambled and unorganised. Few were more feared than Fernando Torres when he donned a red jersey. He provided the necessary focal point for the midfield, and of course scored some very important goals, netting in both European championship finals.
A historic magnum opus
The stage was set. The 2010 world cup final, between Netherlands and Spain in South Africa. From the start, it was clear that the Dutch were inferior in a footballing sense (most were) and they had to try and physically outwit the Spaniards, this resulted in a brutal affair, with the Dutch side amassing 7 yellow cards and one red. The Spaniards would also contribute to the booking sheet, with 5 yellow cards. It was a cagey 114 minutes as Arjen Robben had 2 one on ones with Casillas, both of which were foiled by the captain, in stunning fashion. 90 minutes passed and the two sides were at a stalemate, and frustrations grew as doubt crept into the minds of the Spanish fans. But that doubt would be extinguished as Andres Iniesta surged through the middle, occupying space that in-between the central defenders. A ball was lofted through by Fernando Torres, blocked by a Dutch defender, the ball fell to Cesc Fabregas who, with all the composure, played in Iniesta, who took a touch, the ball rose for what would have seemed like an eternity for the Spanish fans. The ball came down to meet the boot of the midfield maestro, who smashed it into the side netting, as a nation erupted with pure elation. It was a moment that will live forever.
“Surely now Spain have won the World Cup for the first time in history”
Such was the custom for this Spanish side, always finding a way, and staying as calm and poised, even at the grandest stages in the sport. They had an aura of inevitability that reflected in their incredible record of thirty five wins to zero losses, over the course of the 4 years.
The World Cup victory was a statement. A statement that we were in a new age. An age that was very different to those that preceded it. One that would glorify smaller, more technical and agile players over big and powerful ones. This was a culture that had existed in the Spanish game almost since it’s inception, but it was not an idea widely recognised by the rest of the footballing world. That would change as the success of this side, would lead to a shift in the perception of players in the coming decade. The premier league was one such example, as players like David Silva, Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez etc were talked about in a positive way in the media, which granted is not a good indicator of a player, but it is a reflection of the changed treatment of the more diminutive, low centre of gravity, technique driven players.
If I had to think of one word to sum up this side, it would be Immortal. This team is one that will live forever, in the pantheon of the beautiful game. The football they played borrowed from Tiki Taka, a quintessentially Spanish way of playing the game. Making oppositions look foolish using simple, quick passes and movement. There is a word in Italian, “sprezzatura”. Loosely translated, it means the act of making something complicated look simple. And that is what this team did. They played with a sense of entitlement, like they believed that they were better than everyone else, and they were right. From 2008 to 2012 they were untouchable, quite literally. A sense of inevitability would start to form in the minds of everyone watching, and sometimes playing. it seemed pointless to even try against the seemingly unending passing patterns. Something that the footballing world will always remember, the legend of this mesmerising side will be passed down from generation to generation. It is, for me, the greatest national team that the sport has ever seen.
So great!!!