BERLIN — Coach Luis de la Fuente congratulates Spainwarned that there is still a lot to come after making history and becoming the first team to win the European Championship four times. England 2-1 in the final on Sunday At the Olympiastadion.
Mikel Oyarzabal He scored the winning goal in the 86th minute. Cole Palmer cancelled Nico WilliamsSpain won their seventh straight match at Euro 2024 without needing a penalty shootout, setting a tournament record with 15 goals scored in the opening match of the season.
They had to beat the championship team on their way to the trophy. Italyhost country Germany, and pre-tournament favorites France England were also favourites to win, but de la Fuente said he always believed Spain could win, even if they were considered underdogs a month ago.
“I didn’t think we were favourites but we felt we were in a position to win the tournament and we did,” the Spain coach told a press conference.
“It’s hard to improve on what we’ve done here, but this team never tires of working hard, competing and wanting to win, so we can keep growing.”
“I’m proud of them and pleased with the excitement we’ve generated at home. The boys have made history but there’s still a long way to go.”
Spain narrowly beat Germany, a three-time European champion and the country’s three-time champion since 2008.
Midfielder Rodri The player, who was forced to be substituted at half-time after suffering an injury against England, recalled the generation that won consecutive tournaments in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010.
“It was a great day, probably the best day of my sports career,” he told reporters. “We are the team with the most European titles.”
“There was talk of those who came before us who paved the way for us and now we are European champions. It’s an incredible day for everyone. We have made history.”
“We have beaten four World Cup winners before. The mentality of this team… many of us have been European champions at youth level and now we are European champions.”
After the final, Rodri was named Player of the Tournament along with his teammates. Ramin Yamal of Young Player of the Tournamentand there are growing predictions that he will win the Ballon d’Or again this year. Premier League With title Manchester City.
“For me, Rodri is the best player in the world,” de la Fuente said. “Give him the Ballon d’Or right now.”
The Spain coach also thanked his players for winning their fourth European Championship in Berlin, stressing that they always believed in themselves, even after others had lost. Scotland Just his second game in charge in 2023 led to widespread speculation in the media that his job was in jeopardy.
“I always knew the players trusted me,” he said. “In the year and a half that I was in charge, they never made a mistake.”
“The only thing I was worried about was whether the players would believe me and buy into what we were saying.
“Right now it’s all about the happiness and pride and joy of this moment that we have because no one gave us anything for free.”
Spain’s success this summer has been characterised by a more direct style of play – they still retain the ball but with Williams and Yamal on the wings they are also dangerous in transition.
The pair scored the opening goal, Yamal recorded his fourth assist of the tournament and Williams, who was named Most Valuable Player, scored the second goal.
“We are now able to play more diversified, taking advantage of the characteristics of our players,” de la Fuente said of the new structure. La Roja.
“We have speed on both flanks, control and possession in the middle and a very solid defense. It gives us balance in all aspects of the game.”
“I think we have caught up with the demands of modern football. This is a natural change and I think now is the time to make it.”
The Spanish delegation will stay in Berlin until Monday before returning to Madrid, touring the city on open-top buses and finishing the tour at the capital’s Cibeles Palace.
But the celebrations had already begun on Sunday, with fans gathering around the country to watch the victory over England on big screens.
De la Fuente hopes that employers will be understanding if employees show up late to work on Monday.
“That’s how it is in Spain, it’s still early midnight and today there is good reason to go out and celebrate,” he said when asked about the situation in his home country.
“I’m happy with how the day has been received in Spain. It’s a day to celebrate and employers will be celebrating from the morning onwards so no one should be upset.”
