gavi – Artifex.News https://artifexnews.net Stay Connected. Stay Informed. Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:54:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://artifexnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-Artifex-Round-32x32.png gavi – Artifex.News https://artifexnews.net 32 32 Spain Hoping Euro 2024 Conquest Just The Beginning For New Generation https://artifexnews.net/spain-hoping-euro-2024-conquest-just-the-beginning-for-new-generation-6110979/ Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:54:08 +0000 https://artifexnews.net/spain-hoping-euro-2024-conquest-just-the-beginning-for-new-generation-6110979/ Read More “Spain Hoping Euro 2024 Conquest Just The Beginning For New Generation” »

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Spain conquered Europe for a record fourth time on Sunday as they beat England to win Euro 2024 and want this historic night to be the beginning of a new period of dominance. Led by young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, 17 and 22 respectively, many in Luis de la Fuente’s superb side will hit their prime in the years ahead. Between 2008 and 2012 Spain dominated international football, winning the Euros in those years and the 2010 World Cup in the middle. A fallow period followed with Spain falling badly short in most competitions until reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

It was a positive sign but a last 16 defeat by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup spelled the end of Luis Enrique’s reign and the start of what was to come.

No longer dependent on dominating possession, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain play to a wide variety of strengths.

Sometimes they do keep the ball, as in the second half of their semi-final win over pre-tournament favourites France, but are not afraid to go direct, with the speedy and skilful Williams and Yamal duo leaving full-backs for dead on the counter.

Spain’s football has changed but they are hoping their domination of the international stage will be repeated.

“The European champions have been deservedly crowned, today I am even prouder and I hope this impulse will serve to be even better,” said De la Fuente.

“You can always improve and that’s our objective… we will do it because these players are an example for everyone, they are so good.”

Three of the stars from their golden generation, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa, watched on in the Olympiastadion as La Roja lifted a major trophy for the first time in 12 years.

Laughing stock

Their elation in Germany comes after a troubled period in which the Spanish football federation became a global laughing stock.

After their brilliant women’s team won the World Cup in Australia last August, disgraced former president Luis Rubiales sparked worldwide controversy by forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso.

The man who appointed De la Fuente as Luis Enrique’s replacement eventually stepped down from his post three weeks later under heavy pressure from the government and the women’s players, who went on strike.

De la Fuente came close to the brink himself after applauding a fiery Rubiales speech initially refusing to resign, but apologised for it later, saying he was under “psychological stress” in the situation.

The coach had also come under heavy scrutiny after a shock defeat by Scotland in Euros qualifying in March 2023, but steadied the ship by winning the Nations League three months later, confirming Spain were on the right track, at least on the field.

With the team no longer dependent on stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona, but instead a real mix including a strong Basque contingent from Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, Spain believed in themselves and their plan, even if others viewed them as lacking players to compete with the likes of France and England for the trophy.

They beat both, as well as hosts Germany and Euro 2020 winners Italy — the other four of Europe’s ‘big five’.

“This is a dream, we are the best national team in Europe,” Rodri told ITV.

“Imagine what we have next — we are so happy. We made history but it doesn’t stop here, we have talent and we’ll keep going.”

They won Euro 2024 without Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who suffered a bad knee injury in November, and the Catalan club’s young centre-back Pau Cubarsi, whom De la Fuente left behind this time, but will likely be a key component in the future.

Spain were also without Pedri for the semis and final after he was hurt early in the quarter-final win over Germany.

It is clear why De la Fuente believes Spain’s present is bright but their future can be even brighter.

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Spain, Scotland And Turkey Lock Up Euro 2024 Spots https://artifexnews.net/spain-scotland-and-turkey-lock-up-euro-2024-spots-4484316/ Mon, 16 Oct 2023 03:11:27 +0000 https://artifexnews.net/spain-scotland-and-turkey-lock-up-euro-2024-spots-4484316/ Read More “Spain, Scotland And Turkey Lock Up Euro 2024 Spots” »

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Spain clinched their place at Euro 2024 on Sunday after a 1-0 win away to Norway, also sending Scotland through from Group A as Turkey joined the growing ranks of qualifiers. Barcelona midfielder Gavi scored the only goal early in the second half in Oslo, bouncing a shot into the corner to help Spain qualify for next year’s finals in Germany with two games to spare. “We are very happy because the team has grown a lot and has a great future,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. “We have worked to get to this moment.”

They moved top of Group A on goal difference, but the result ensured Scotland punched their ticket to the tournament as well, with Norway five points adrift going into their last match next month.

“When we qualified via the play-offs last time, we set ourselves a target of doing it automatically next time – so that’s the first mission accomplished,” said Scotland captain Andy Robertson.

Norway have not qualified for a major competition since Euro 2000, but a team featuring Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard still has hope of advancing to the play-offs.

Georgia thrashed Cyprus 4-0 in the other game in that group.

Turkey capped off a momentous week in which they were announced as co-hosts of Euro 2032 with Italy, by turning on the style in the closing minutes to beat Latvia 4-0 and book their place at the finals.

Yunus Akgun broke the deadlock just before the hour and former Everton forward Cenk Tosun grabbed two late goals either side of a Kerem Akturkoglu strike to complete the victory for the Group D leaders.

“I am very happy that we confirmed (qualification) tonight with this win,” Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella told UEFA.com.

“I am perhaps the happiest coach in the world right now. That’s why I’ll enjoy it first, and then we’ll continue our preparations immediately.”

– Wilson revives Wales –
Turkey sit six points clear of Wales, who leapfrogged Croatia into second as Harry Wilson got both goals in a 2-1 victory over last year’s World Cup semi-finalists in Cardiff.

Wilson outran the Croatia defence to loft in the opening goal shortly after half-time and then glanced in a Dan James cross for the second.

Mario Pasalic reduced the deficit but Wales now have control of their own destiny heading into the concluding rounds of qualifying games in November.

Croatia find themselves at risk of missing a major tournament for the first time since the 2010 World Cup after back-to-back defeats.

Switzerland needed two late goals at home to Belarus to rescue a 3-3 draw but surrendered first place in Group I to Romania.

Xherdan Shaqiri curled the Swiss ahead in St Gallen before Belarus, beaten 5-0 by the same opponents in March, levelled through Max Ebong.

Denis Polyakov nodded Belarus in front at a corner and the visitors looked on course for a shock win when Dmitri Antilevski struck a third in the 84th minute.

Manuel Akanji tapped in from a Shaqiri free-kick to spark the last-ditch comeback for the hosts as substitute Zeki Amdouni saved Switzerland’s blushes, scrambling in a 90th-minute equaliser.

Romania eased to a 4-0 victory over Andorra to move a point clear, but the Swiss have a game in hand after Thursday’s trip to Tel Aviv was postponed due to the war between Israel and Hamas.

Sunday’s match between Kosovo and Israel was also called off because of the conflict.

In Plzen, Tomas Soucek’s 76th-minute penalty earned the Czech Republic a narrow 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands, bumping his team up to second in Group E behind Albania.

Poland struggled in the absence of injured striker Robert Lewandowski and had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Moldova in Warsaw.

The Poles are third in the section but have played a game more than the top two. They host the Czechs in a must-win game on November 17.

Seven of the 24 slots have now been filled. Germany qualified automatically as hosts while France, Portugal and Belgium all wrapped up their places on Friday.

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