We can now safely say, after most teams will have now played two games, that Spain have been the best I've seen so far. They are now the team to beat, and those unsure of whether or not they could make history and win an unprecedented, and ridiculous, three Euro championships in a row have woken up to that being a reality.
Hunger is a big thing in footall. You can parade all the talents in your squad, boast having the best players in their positions that the world can offer but that means nothing if there is no drive. That is what wins you championships. You need that burning desire inside your chest to stretch every vein and muscle in order to come out victorious when all is said and done.
Maybe it was the old heads that needed to leave, or something not right within the team. Perhaps not enough tapas bars were included near the camp. Whatever it was, it wasn't the same Spain.
Fast-forward two years later and it's almost a different team. Out with Casillas and Xabi Alonso, and newblood like Nolito and Morata have brought a freshness and exuberance to the team. There are still the veterans to maintain the fibre and winning identity, but that's now mixed with younger and more attack-minded players who have a hunger to be part of Spanish history.
You look at how France and Germany have fared in their two games and Italy not having that one exceptional player and it leaves you to believe Spain can really do this. I through the possibility out there because I learned my lesson in 2012 when I gave them no chance of defending their crown.
After seeing how they have moved past their dogged possesssion-based system (I hope, for good) and how well the new players have fitted in and the positive impact they have had; Spain could really just come here to croissant country and win this compeition three times in a row.
As Greece taught us, never say never. HH
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