SPAIN RETAINING THEIR European title would benefit the whole of the country at a difficult time in its history, their coach Vicente Del Bosque said today.
The 61-year-old, who saw his side prevail 4-2 in a penalty shootout over Portugal in their Euro 2012 semi-final last night, added that an unprecedented third successive trophy would show that the country was going in the right direction.
Spain is mired in recession and recently received a €100-billion-euro loan for its embattled banks, which have been plunged into crisis by the property market crashing.
However, Del Bosque, who before the Euros told Prime Minster Mariano Rajoy when he visited the squad that winning would not resolve their problems, said anything as big as winning the title could at least bring some cheer to his hard pressed-compatriots.
“If we can do it… I believe that it will be beneficial not just for football but for the country in general,” said Del Bosque, who replaced Luis Aragones after the Euro 2008 title win and guided them to the 2010 World Cup trophy.
“It will send some signals to the country that we are going in the right direction. And if the success can be transferred into society, that would be marvellous.”
Del Bosque, who won the 2000 and 2002 Champions League trophies when he was coach of Real Madrid, said his defenders had been outstanding on Wednesday, singling out left back Jordi Alba for particular praise.
“Our style is based around possession and offensive football,” he said. “But it is true that we have in this Euro exceptional defensive statistics. Everybody defends in this team. However, the back four were excellent last night (Wednesday).
“Jordi Alba for example did everything that one could have hoped for at left back.
He was impeccable marking Nani and then (Cristiano) Ronaldo (they switched flanks in the second-half).
“We were enchanted by his performance and I think that with him we have discovered a real specialist in this position.”
Del Bosque, who was a dependable defensive midfielder for Real Madrid and Spain and appeared at the Euro 1980 edition, admitted the players were tired after their exertions on Wednesday but said they would recuperate in time for Sunday’s final.
“At the moment, yes, they are tired. They have played all season to their limits. But at the same time, they are used to the wear and tear of a whole season spent playing at the highest level. Thus there is no reason to be excessively worried by this. In the next few days, we will try and organise as light as possible training sessions.”
