For avid followers of the beautiful game, Euro 2024 couldn’t have asked for a better champion, than the La Roja of Spain.
Their tiki-taka, high pressing possession brand of football was put to a litmus test against the rest of Europe and it didn’t disappoint, as they proved again that modern football is Spaniard.
The coach Luis de la Fuente boys were a delight to watch all through the tournament, winning seven out of seven games to clinch their record fourth Euro title.
Spain had ruled world football when they won three straight titles: Euro 2008, 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa and the Euro 2012. Those were actually their golden era with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez in the team.
But what a way to mark their return as one of Europe’s best footballing nation. They were dominant in all their matches, fluid, exciting and entertaining.
The smaller nations had started the 2024 Euro like a house on fire, making life difficult for the big guns, with many thinking this may just be the year of the minnows, but how wrong they were as the Big Boys stole the show again.
De Bruyne and his Belgian army fell to the superior power of Spain, same with Kylian Mbampe with his world cup runners up team, France. That’s a testament to the strength of the Spain team.
No doubt, Spain is set to rule and dominate the world of football again with the kind of exquisite, tantalizing football they played at the Euros.
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Who said there are no super powers in football. Nigerian football is on the decline and rather than fix it, we are made to believe that there are no minnows in football.
It’s so bad that Nigeria now lose to Benin Republic, struggle against South Africa, draw Lesotho, Zimbabwe, what a shame.
This is a wake up call to Nigeria and the football authorities that when the needful is done the country will regain its giant super power statue again.
Football is developed from bottom to top not the other way round. So why do we keep focusing on the top instead of going back to the grassroots to develop our football.
The days Nigeria excelled in the game were during the era of many developmental and grassroots tournaments such as such as Academical, Ramat Cup, YSFON, Principal cup etc.
For Spain to win the Euros it’s not rocket science, it’s all about planning. They have a good youth system from which the players come through.
Nigeria has to make structural changes if we wish to return to our pride of place in football. There must be a blueprint and playing philosophy that must be adopted and played by all our national teams across board.