Euro 2012: Why Spain Is on Course to Triumph a Third Time

The advancement of Spain to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Euro 2012 points to positive signs in the immediate and the distant future. The reasons for Spain to triumph are many but there are a few notable examples that could be addressed.

France

France faced Sweden in the last group match and the result was a disaster. What was the reason behind the disaster?

The French did not match the firepower of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Swedish team. In fact, Hugo Lloris (according to SI) was powerless as a goalkeeper while Ibrahimovic scored one of the powerful goals for Sweden.

Karin Benzema and Franck Ribery were weak in their attacks on the Swedish team. The goalkeeper for Sweden Andreas Isaksson was able to block an attempt by Jeremy Menez to score.

Spain and France are expected to face each other this Saturday in the quarterfinals. At the present rate, Spain would defeat France on the basis of the latter's poor performance in its group stage match.

Fernando Torres

The striker Fernando Torres was able to show Spain and the rest of the world what he is made of. Torres surprised the world with the first goal within four minutes without thinking.

The first goal occurred in the Group C match between Spain and the Republic of Ireland. Torres scored another goal during the match which helped seal Spain’s victory.

While Fernando Torres has been criticized in the past, it appears that he found his niche in Spain. Torres is one of the people who will take Spain on its course to victory secondary to his ability to score again.

Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas proved himself as one of the reasons Spain will triumph in Euro 2012. Casillas as a goalkeeper during the match against Italy was superb as he deflected attempts by opposing teams to score.

The only exception during the Group C match was when Antonio Di Natale scored a goal. Casillas proved himself for Spain by blocking an attempted goal by Croatia.

Darijo Srna came close to scoring for Croatia with an assist from Luka Modric. Casillas blocked the attempt by Croatia to score.

Casillas is also one of the great unifiers of the squad. When Xavi Hernandez criticized Real Madrid before the beginning of Euro 2012, there were concerns (as reported by Canada.com) about Spain.

Casillas (as reported in The Telegraph) replied by saying that everything was "positive" about Spain. It is these comments (and Casilla's ability as a powerful goalkeeper) that keeps Spain focused on the course for a third consecutive victory.

Vicente Del Bosque

Vicente Del Bosque is instrumental in Spain being on course for triumph. One example (as reported by The Delta World) is the decision by Del Bosque to prohibit the use of Twitter and other social networks. 

The idea of a squad using social networks during the Euro 2012 tournament does not help a team advance. On the contrary, it hurt one NFL team and player according to an article by the AP with a h/t to ESPN.

Conclusion

Spain has a lot in its favor during the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 and beyond. Que viva Espana!! (Long Live Spain)