The Spanish national team, with a heroic Unai Simón as the protagonist, has qualified for the semifinals of the European Championship for the fifth time in its history. It has achieved it thanks to a agonizing victory on penalties against Switzerland, a team that reached the quarterfinals full of morale after eliminating France, the current world champion, in the second round in the same way. Spain is next to Germany the team that holds the most titles, with three, and You can expand your track record this summer. The historical rival of the Red the last eliminatory fell against England and gives Luis Enrique's team the opportunity to walk away in that honor. The four times that the national team reached the semifinals, they ended up playing the final.
Spain 1964 (champion)
In the Eurocup that Spain hosted 29 teams participated that played two-legged qualifiers in their countries of origin, except for the semifinals and the final, which were concentrated in national territory. Spain beat Ireland in two games and played the semifinal at the Camp Nou against Hungary. The Soviet Union beat Denmark and was their rival for the title.
The final was played at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Spanish team, by mandate of Francisco Franco, he had refused to play in the 1960 Eurocup quarterfinals in that same scenario alleging political motives.
The party, which attracted 79,000 attendees, ended with a Spanish victory thanks to a goal from Marcelino, who managed to unblock the match in the 84th minute and make it 2-1. It was the first triumph in a major sports competition for Spain's national teams.
France 1984 (runner-up)
The selection carried by then three consecutive editions without being classified to the continental tournament (Italy'68, Belgium'72 and Yugoslavia'76). Italy 1980 was one more disappointment, because Spain failed to pass the first round.
For this new opportunity, eight teams could contest the final phase. Seven countries had to qualify for it, since France was automatically for being the host of the tournament.
Spain was runner-up after leading the group stage and beat Denmark in 'semis' and on penalties. The award was raised by France, which defeated the national team 2-0 and thanks to the title obtained, he would play the 1985 Artemio Franchi Cup.
Austria and Switzerland 2008 (champion)
After 24 years without qualifying for the semifinals, Spain did it by beating Italy on penalties. Cesc Fàbregas's goal, after an unforgettable performance by Iker Casillas under the sticks, broke a spell that would take the team to the top with the great Luis Aragonés, architect of a generation that would become the best in history for the country.
Russia reached 'semis' with Arshavin as the main threat, but Spain made it to the final thanks to Xavi, Iniesta, SIlva and company, which were exalted. The Germany of the 'blond' that the coach talked so much about, waited to try to expand his record. Schweinsteiger didn't get away with it. Fernando Torres' goal in the 33rd minute of the game was the goal of a triumph that erased all the ghosts of the past.
The milestone was completed with an eleven that every supporter of the selection remembers: Casillas, Capdevila, Puyol, Marchena, Ramos, Senna, Silva, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc and Torres. The defeat of the hand of Luis Aragonés was not known throughout the competition and the showy style, nicknamed as Tiki Taka, amazed the world.
Poland and Ukraine 2012 (champion)
Spain was proclaimed champion of Europe for the second time in a row in 2012. He thus made history by becoming the The only team to hold the triple crown (Euros 2008 and 2012) and the 2010 World Cup. In addition, Vicente del Bosque's team finished undefeated and only conceded one goal. Along the way, she was able to finish first in her group by adding 7 of the 9 possible points (they won 4-0 against Ireland, 1-0 against Croatia and only gave up a 1-1 draw with Italy).
In rooms, Spain defeated France 2-0 and Portugal was a victim in the semifinalsof a rival who had taken the measure to the throws from eleven meters. As in 2008 against Italy, Cesc was the author of the decisive launch, in this case the one who gave the pass to the final.
And in this match, Spain took a resounding victory (4-0) over Italy , confirmation that the national team was the undisputed queen that was marking an entire era. The team's game did not give the rival options. In the memory of the fans there is Jordi Alba's careerthat he himself culminated in a goal after a magnificent pass from Xavi.