UEFA Euro 2012: 4 Reasons Spain Can Make It a Three-Peat of Major Tournaments

For Spain, there's a genuine sense of continuity and unexplored excitement which makes them real favourites for this summer's UEFA Euro 2012 tournament.

Spanish football has long been damned as being an unspectacular two-team league, or a more glamorous Scottish league, if you want to go for a low blow. But Spain's performances and dominance in club football, despite the Champions League holders being English, is a reminder of how accomplished the stars of Spanish football are.

They're taking their brand and philosophy to other parts of the world, specifically England, where power and pace once ruled. A smaller, technically gifted player is now seen to be the key to success since Spain took hold of the European Championship in 2008.

Yes there were teams in England that possessed players who characterised the Spanish way of playing, but only now is the Premier League embracing it.

You don't have to be a heavyweight to land the knockout blow, as Sergio Aguero proved on the final day of the Premier League season.

But at the same time, you do need a number of important factors in place to reap the rewards of international football.

Spain seems to be carpeted with gifted youngsters, many of whom are able to play the Spanish brand of football. The culture of that country dictates that the national team is ready for a type of modern football that is suited to them.

Of course there will be flaws—as there are with most things—but Spain's success isn't an accident and it's certainly not from them being fortunate at a time of other nations' shortcomings.

It seems to have taken a little bit of time—easier said when you're on the outside looking in—but Spanish national football is finally coming into place as the dominant force of this generation.

The current World Cup holders are well beyond just being a diamond in the rough.

Quality in Abundance

Spain won't shy away from dipping into their talent pool. Never before has a national team been able to so easily rotate players in and out of a squad, yet maintain such high levels of quality.

The squad will be fresh without compromising results and there will be players looking to prove why they should be in the starting XI.

Is it risky to disrupt a first XI in such a way? Yes, there are negatives to bringing in different players over the course of a tournament especially where consistency will be key. However, Spain is in a position where so many of their players perform under the same philosophical banner.

Such is the richness of Spain's depth, there is undoubtedly going to be many stories about those who were unfortunate not to be included in the final squads. Yet, those players could arguably walk into any other team in the competition.

Whether it be strikers, creative outlets or, importantly, strong goalkeepers, Spain have numbers on their side. But above all, the quality and class barely wavers throughout the nation.

A Perfect 'Plan A'

Some have argued that Spain perhaps need to explore a 'Plan B' following their disappointing loss to England last year. Against those who were advocating contrasting approaches in different games were the calls to remain as they are.

Spain doesn't have a problem in their 'Plan A.' They see a lion's share of possession, have a large number of players who can finish the many chances they create and, most importantly, the method to success in the past shouldn't be altered following one setback.

The Spanish team really do seem to be an extension of the current Barcelona team we've seen. Both will unquestionably have the majority of possession in any game, and the confidence with which the ball is caressed around the pitch makes for such an enjoyable spectacle.

The Dutch were close and put up a good fight in the World Cup final—literally, in one case—and Germany have a squad that is almost equal to that of Spain's enviable riches. But both have come undone against a Spain squad executing a perfect 'Plan A.'

The goals might have been scarce at the last World Cup, but the results were still of equal measure to the expectation.

An Equally Powerful ‘Plan B’

Part of Spain's one dimensional attack—if you can call it that without sounding negative—was their use of players like Fernando Torres and David Villa as focal points of the attack. Exceptional players, of course, but the team now have a confident, much more experienced alternative in the powerful Fernando Llorente.

Again, how wise would it be to shift focus from the hugely successful 'Plan A' that is ingrained in the Spanish squad? Sometimes, though, it might be a necessity to move in a slightly more forceful, direct manner.

The culture of Spanish football certainly doesn't strike a chord with teams who have traditionally gone "route one." Rather they've looked to be patient, meticulous and merciless.

But the introduction of Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente gives the team a powerful target man, who, as expected, can maintain the high level of Spain's possession game.

Marcelo Bielsa has shown this season that Bilbao can successfully evolve past the long ball football with Llorente as the focal point. The striker has shown how lethal he can be with the ball played on the ground, and his technical abilities means he'll never look out of place alongside the rest of the Spain squad.

Youth

It's difficult to see another country with such an impressive conveyor belt of youth.

Yes, Germany's current international success is built on their efficient and impressive production line—all very keeping with the German stereotype. But Spain's youth squad are the current European U21 Champions, something which will prove to be a great platform for their graduates into Vicente del Bosque's squad.

Iker Muniain has had another fantastic and eye-catching season at Athletic Bilbao. A player with terrier-like aggression, but equally elegant and wonderful ability with the ball. He won't be out of place at this years Euros.

Then there's Malaga's wonder kid Isco, who made the jump up to La Liga from a reserve position at Valencia. He's taken much of the limelight away from the club's big and ambitious signings and has propelled himself into serious consideration for a place on the national team.

A good mix of youth and experience will not only ensure Spain remain hungry and competitive throughout this summer's competition, but it will also give the younger players experience and guidance for the future.