Spain vs. France: 6 Things We Learned from Euro 2012 Quarterfinal

Spain sauntered through to the semifinals of Euro 2012, as they knocked out a woeful France side in a game which taught us a few things about both sides.

The Spaniards, favourites among many to win their second European Championships, took control of the game early on with their possession-based approach paying dividends down both channels in the opening half hour.

They broke the deadlock on just 19 minutes, with France having barely entered the Spanish half of the pitch, when Jordi Alba made the most of a defensive slip with a pinpoint cross for Xabi Alonso to head home.

It was also Alonso who netted the decisive second goal of the game in the 90th minute from the penalty spot, after substitute Pedro Rodriguez had been felled in the box.

Here are six things we learned from the game.

France: Lacking in Team Spirit, Adventure and Ability

Picture perfect? The Spaniards as a team, the French standing alone.

France had very, very little team spirit on show in the Euro 2012 quarterfinal. They failed to really link up in different areas of the pitch, they certainly didn't work overly hard for each other, and you never got the feeling that they were happy to really have a go at Spain to try to win the match.

Following the epic failure at the last World Cup, the French had plenty to prove in this tournament, but they exit the competition with a record of one, single victory in four tries.

More than 20 games unbeaten going into the tournament, the old bickering and poor attitude reared its head again, and they crash out of Poland/Ukraine having lost two on the bounce.

High-Tempo Pressing Again Leads to Spain Controlling the Game

David Silva, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets.

Some of the best passers of the ball on the planet, at least four of the most creative and technical, and yet, most importantly, also some of the hardest workers in the game.

In the first half particularly, Spain pressed the French players the instant they received the ball to feet. We've seen it before, but it is no less impressive; no matter whether Franck Ribery was on the ball on the halfway line or Laurent Koscielny had it on the edge of his own area, several players in red were immediately surrounding them and looking to get the ball back for Spain.

Spain sat off more in the second half, but this was more due to the fact that France offered absolutely nothing in the final third, and the Spanish knew it.

Possession is all well and good, but Spain work so, so hard to get it back in the first place that they earn the right to play on the ball for 60 percent of the game or more.

Samir Nasri Could Be in Hot Water After Allegedly Abusing Press Post Game

Samir Nasri, perhaps understandably unhappy at his country's exit from Euro 2012, may be in hot bother after a rant at a journalist after the game against Spain, according to BBC Sport:

"

Samir Nasri has apparently had strong words with French journalists in the post-match mixed zone. We can't repeat what he's allegedly said

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 23, 2012"

Though it is yet unconfirmed, the journalist in question certainly attracted a lot of attention on social network Twitter.

False Nine or Striker?

Fernando Torres or Cesc Fabregas?

Striker through the middle or false nine?

Spain have alternated between the duo for different games, with Torres starting against Ireland and Croatia, Cesc against Italy and now France.

Vicente del Bosque is obviously happy to play it by ear and use Torres only when he thinks the opposition defence can be stretched.

For the semifinals of Euro 2012, Spain will come up against Portugal. Pepe is in good form and Bruno Alves the same, but neither are exceedingly mobile and they tend to pack the midfield.

Perhaps that indicates that Torres will be back in the team? We'll have to wait and see.

Laurent Blanc: Mission Failed, Time to Pack Up and Look Elsewhere?

After two years in the position planning and preparing for these European Championships, Laurent Blanc needs to call it a day with the national-team job.

A talented and young manager, Blanc is well-respected in the game and has been most recently linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur—but wherever he goes, he just needs to get out of that national team.

The players do not play for the team or for their manager; two years into the project, they look every bit the self-centred, egocentric bunch of individuals who made themselves into such a laughing stock in South Africa 2010.

Blanc is wasted there. He needs to let them fend for themselves and get himself back into club management.

Are Spain En Route to Third Major Tournament Win in a Row?

After victory in Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010, Spain are now chasing their third tournament win and are just two victories away from achieving the feat.

No international side has yet done it; Spain are on the road to rewriting history at the moment.

Fitting, perhaps, that their closest neighbours and Iberian rivals, Portugal, now stand between them and another final.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be desperate to help his own nation past teammates and rivals alike in the Real Madrid and Barcelona-dominated Spanish side, but are his teammates up to the task of stopping the reigning champions?

Much may depend on the hunger and desire of the Spain side to continue winning.

They are certainly good enough. Soon we'll see if any other side is good enough to stop them.

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