“iHala Aragones!”: Luis and Spain Silence the Critics

As the rain poured down on a dark Thursday night in Vienna, jubilant fans covered in red and gold all over the city and particularly in the stadium, were singing a song that this sports fan would have, two months ago, bet his scarf, flag and strip that he’d never hear in a million years.

“La la la la laaa, Hala Aragones!”

The familiar Spanish and particularly Madridista cheer was heard shaking the rafters of the Ernst Happel stadium after Spain’s convincing 3-0 win, with a slight twist at the end, paying tribute to "el Sabio" who has delivered them from tournament purgatory and into the European Championship Finals.

The limerick was not the only chant that was familiar to my Real ears. Many of the songs sung in the rain during the semifinals were also popular ones usually sung at the Santiago Bernabeau as well as a couple I recognized from other clubs around the Iberian peninsula; yet another telling sign that the footballing nation might just be coming together for something special. 

The match between the two sides started off reserved, both Russia and Spain sitting back on their heels, waiting for the other side to flinch for a few minutes. The match did not evolve into the feast of attacking football that most critics expected until the second half of play.  

The tactical approach from the “magician” Guus Hiddink seemed to be to frustrate the Spanish by closing the door for the first half, and almost hiding Arshavin away on the left side of midfield.

One wonders when Arshavin was supposed to be unleashed on the rickety Spanish defense, but it just didn’t seem to be the little playmaker’s day.

Speaking of that weak defense that has plagued the Armada all tournament, Scrooge seems to have made it a little more airtight, due mostly to the strong play from Ramos (finally) and Puyol. Both players were comprehensively closing down every Russian attack almost with ease (Luis the Scrooge must have really given Ramos the belt in training these past couple of days).

Add into the equation Marcos Senna rampaging back from midfield with a vengeance, and it was always going to be a long night for the Russians.

Moving up the field, the Spanish midfield only seemed to get better as the game wore on. Russia’s tactics of allowing the Spanish to sit on the ball worked in the first half of play, but it’s a dangerous game to play with a side brimming with such talent.

When David Villa sat down on the pitch towards the end of the first half looking positively ill with pain and grief, Russian faces were beginning to show a glimmer of optimism at their good fortune. That was until "Cesquito" Fabregas tore off his substitute vest and joined the fray.

The smiles quickly vanished.

Cesc, Iniesta, and Xavi then went about their business of absolutely terrorizing the Russian defense.

Almost as soon as the second half started, the Spanish midfield was slicing the poor Russian back four to pieces, until it finally came in the 50th minute, with Xavi showing superb reactions and talent to tip a shot-come-pass from Iniesta into the Russian net.

With Fernando Torres looking like he’d never seen a chance at goal or a ball to his feet in his entire life, on came Güiza to add a different element to the attack; it paid dividends in the 73rd minute, when Cesc played an outrageous flick over the entire Russian back line, and the assassin from Mallorca lifted the ball over the helpless Akinfeev.

Spain finished Russia off nine minutes later with an overpowering counter finished off by David Silva.

Any team that is able to bring Fabregas off the bench, as well as Spain’s leading scorer in Daniel Güiza, is a side with just too much depth to be written off. Spain has played every kind of football in this tournament, and they’ve done it with grace.

They’ve shown attacking prowess against Russia—twice. They’ve shown resilience against Sweden, and ground out a war of attrition against the current world champions Italy.

Even their subs played an entire game, and still beat the former European champions, Greece. They have looked the most convincing side in the tournament, all the while being doubted and expected to crash out or fail at every turn.

Their goalkeeper is almost perfect, their defense vastly experienced and improving with every match. Their midfield is probably the most dangerous in the tournament (perhaps the world, judging on form alone) along with Marcos Senna adding bone-crunching strength and courage.

And their forwards: well, Torres and Villa. Need I say more?

One setback is Villa’s apparent thigh injury, and his absence in the final that Aragones has confirmed. However, after watching the terrifying force that is Fabregas, Xavi, and Iniesta playing together, it can only be said that his absence, while unfortunate, just changes the Spanish side instead of crippling it.

Pick your poison: death by forwards, or midfielders?

To be sure, the Germans, undoubtedly watching the semifinal yesterday with sausages in mouths, will have noticed that not only did Spain not even flinch when Villa was brought off, but looked to get even stronger. Especially after the half, when "el Sabio" had the time to instill his new set of tactics and players.

No question, the impending final is due to be a cracker between the world’s most tested tournament team, nicknamed "la Maquina" (the Machine) by the Spanish press, and the world’s most in-form team, with Spain unbeaten in 21 games.

Discipline versus inspiration, a reputation to be defended, and one to be created.

For the neutrals, it’s a match to be remembered, even before the first kick.

But for Spanish fans who have worn their hearts on their sleeves for the entire tournament, it’s a chance they might not get for another twenty years; the chance to be redeemed, proven, and hoisted into their rightful place among the world’s top footballing nations.