Spain is in the Euro 2024 final! The team, featuring 38-year-old Jesus Navas and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, has shone unexpectedly bright throughout the tournament, defeating renowned favorites like Italy, Germany and France on their path to the final. Telecomasia.net spoke with one of the key figures in Russian football history Cesar Navas about the magnificent comeback of La Furia Roja.
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"The team plays in a way that most Spanish fans like"
Undoubtedly, Spain is the most watchable and exciting team in Euro 2024. Navas confirms that the team delights its fans with its game:
– What emotions do you feel after Spain's victory?
– Spain is celebrating! It's always very exciting to reach the final of the European Championship. Our team really displays the type of football that is played in Spain. The team plays in a way that most Spanish fans like - with ball control and touch, while also being vertical and aggressive in attack when the opportunity arises. Spain plays with great width on the flanks and creates numerous attacking situations with Yamal and Williams.
At the same time, Spain causes problems for opponents with Morata, Ruiz, and Olmo attacking from depth. They exploit spaces behind the opponent's midfielders. Rodri is a master of ball control. Defensively, Spain plays safe and allows few chances, often playing in a low block and putting strong pressure on the opponent's half after conceding a goal.
– Is this the strongest team in the tournament?
– Without a doubt! Spain is currently the team that has proven itself to be the best throughout the tournament.
Bet on Euro-2024 with 1xBet"I don't think there has ever been a footballer of such a young age who played as well as Yamal"
Unexpectedly, the main star of Spain at Euro 2024 turned out to be Lamine Yamal. And he's only 16 years old! Almost every match of the tournament Yamal made headlines by becoming the youngest player to achieve something. Before the semifinal against France, Yamal had three assists, and against the French team, the young Spaniard had a spectacular long-distance goal up his sleeve!
– What is the phenomenon of Yamal?
– Yamal is a world star at just 16 years old. It's incredible! He has unique technique and skills, the ability to make the right decisions. This marks a new era in European football. I don't think there has ever been a footballer of such a young age who played as well as Yamal does now. He usually makes the right decisions in both attack and defense. In attack, thanks to his qualities, technique, speed, and accuracy, he excels at everything.
Bet on Euro-2024 with 1xBet"Footballers in 2024 are much better prepared on technical, physical and psychological levels than 16 years ago”
The Spain national team has reached the final of a major tournament for the first time in 12 years - at Euro 2012, the great squad of Aragones/Del Bosque won their last trophy and then started to fade. And now, they are on their way to the top again. It's no wonder that everyone, including us and Navas, started to compare the team of 2024 with the great squad of 2008-2012.
– Is the current generation stronger than the one in 2008-2012?
– These are different generations with different playing styles. Football evolves, national teams and players are getting better and better. Understandably, they are different generations, with very good players and some world stars then and now.
But I understand that footballers in 2024 are much better prepared on technical, physical, tactical, and psychological levels than 16 years ago. Life is changing for the better. We can all see now that football has progressed and become more professional. Today, nothing is left to chance, and everything related to the football team is analyzed, studied, planned, and executed better than in 2008. The same goes for the players. Currently, since they are still children, these players have better football education in physical, technical, tactical, and mental aspects.
I have no doubt that the current team would outperform the generation of 2008-2012. Simply because of the evolution that has taken place in football over these years. This team has great potential. The young players have a long career ahead of them, so Spain will likely be able to enjoy a high-level team for the next 10 years.
– But before the European Championship nobody considered Spain a favorite. Were you surprised by this result?
– We knew that Spain had great potential. The team has very good veteran players, joined by very young players with high potential but little experience. We all thought that maybe the young players did not have the necessary experience to become favorites in such a tournament. But they surprised us all, showing maturity beyond their years, and managed to defeat strong teams like Italy, Germany, and France. The Spanish team combined experience and youth, creating a devastating cocktail. It is also important to note the role of Luis de la Fuente. The coach provided a stylistic and tactical game model that was a perfect fit for these players.
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Spain's opponent will be determined in the second semifinal, where the Netherlands and England will play. The final will take place on Sunday, July 14 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, starting at 22:00 GMT+3.
