Spain’s Olympic history
Spain’s best memory at the Olympic Men’s Football tournament remains the 1992 edition in Barcelona. They fulfilled their goal of winning gold on home soil under the leadership of Pep Guardiola. Spain kept a clean sheet all the way to the final where they defeated Poland 3-2 in front of 95,000 spectators at the Camp Nou.
At the 1996 Olympics in USA, the then defending champions could not retain their title. An emphatic 4-0 loss against eventual runners-up Argentina sent Spain home in the quarter-finals.
The 2000 Summer Olympic Games offered many positives and negatives for the Spaniards. They triumphed over Italy and USA in the knock-out stages but a Cameroonian team inspired by Samuel Eto’o denied young Xavi Hernandez and company from winning gold. Spain U23 failed to qualify for Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 but they now go into London 2012 looking particularly strong.
Spain’s team spirit
Like the Under-19 and senior national teams proved this earlier summer, Spain have a strong team play policy. Names do stand out but as Juan Mata insisted, everyone’s contribution counts.
“Spain are lucky to have many players with great experience, but don’t think that Jordi Alba, Javi Martinez and me are the saviours for this team,” Mata told the press on Sunday.
“Each player is important and no one is indispensable. We are a complete team and don’t rely on individuals.”
London 2012, here comes Spain!
A decade after striking gold at the 1992 Olympic Football tournament, Spain U23 have their eyes fixed on nothing but highest podium. The calibre of the squad on paper is in itself a source of motivation. Even without the addition of top veterans like striker David Villa, midfielder Xavi Hernandez or goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Spain U23’s team seems to have it all to win a tournament.
Unlike the senior national team, Spain U23 is not a blend of Real Madrid and Barcelona stars. The players come from various teams and leagues. Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao dominate the London 2012 Olympics roaster with three players each.
However, players like David de Gea, Cesar Azpilicueta, Alvaro Dominguez or Rodrigo Domingo spice up Spain U23 with club football experience from the English Premier League, th
e French Ligue 1, the German Bundesliga and the Portuguese Liga.
In every part of the field, Spain U23 possess names that could star at the London 2012 Olympic Football tournament.
Goalkeeping position
David de Gea is only 21-years-old but his football at Atletico Madrid and Manchester United has offered him huge experience points. De Gea is used to dealing with pressure and playing against some of the world’s top strikers in club football. It seems natural to expect a solid performance from the shot stopper who may fill the boots of Iker Casillas in future.
Defence
Jordi Alba is fresh from featuring at UEFA Euro 2012 where he did not only play but also shined. The Barcelona product is effective at the back and dynamic in the wings. Jordi Alba loves to push upfront on the field. His playing style could be compared to Phillip Lahm’s.
Midfield
Spain U23 have two key players in midfield: Chelsea’s Juan Mata and Athletic Bilbao’s Iker Munian. The former had a fantastic season with the Blues. His pace in midfield energized Chelsea en route to FA Cup and UEFA Champions League glory.
In the Euro 2012 final, Juan Mata proved that it takes skill, precision and nothing more than five minutes to net a goal. The 24-year-old, who will be key to Spain’s success at the London 2012 Olympics, ranks among the country’s best midfielders alongside idols Xavi and Iniesta.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Iker Munian continues to evolve. London 2012 is a perfect event for Athletic Bilbao player to take a giant step on his way to the very top as one of Spain’s future superstar midfielders.
Attack
Cristian Tello and Adrian Lopez lead Spain U23’s forward line. Like 2011 Euro U21 Golden Boot winner Adrian Lopez, expect Tello to take his chances and prove why Pep Guardiola decided to promote him from Barcelona B to Barcelona.
Spain’s perfect summer
Spain’s senior national team proved doubters wrong by lifting the Euro 2012 cup and Spain U19 won July’s Euro U19 tournament in Estonia. The gifted footballing country is now a step away from sealing a perfect summer.
“We’re not just looking for a magic moment. We want to win gold to show there is no doubt that Spain are the best football nation in the world,” Juan Mata declared.
It is believed that the children of today make tomorrow. With their particularly admirable youth system, for how long will Spain continue to dominate the world?
Spain’s London 2012 Olympic Football team
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United); Diego Marino (Villarreal)
Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Olympique Marseille); Alvaro Dominguez (Borussia Monchengladbach); Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad); Jordi Alba (Barcelona); Alberto Botia (Sporting Gijon); Martin Montoya (Barcelona)
Midfielders: Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao); Iker Munian (Athletic Bilbao); Juan Mata (Chelsea); Koke (Atletico Madrid); Isco (Malaga); Oriol Romeu (Chelsea); Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao)
Forwards: Adrian Lopez (Atletico Madrid); Rodrigo Moreno (Benfica); Cristian Tello (Barcelona)
See where to watch Spain’s group matches at the London 2012 Olympic Football tournament by clicking on the fixtures below:
July 26, 2012: Spain vs Japan
July 29, 2012: Spain vs Honduras
August 1, 2012: Spain vs Morocco
Follow the London 2012 Olympic Soccer - Men tournament and stay up to date with live TV listings.
