Why is Spain considered the best soccer team of all time?

Even though many soccer fans and specialists viewed Germany as the favorite team to win the 2012 European Championship, Real Madrid`s goalkeeper Iker Casillias lifted the trophy at the end of the tournament, strengthening the belief that Spain is the best soccer team of all time.

Three trophies in four years

The Red Fury`s incredible series of trophies begun in 2008, when they defeated Germany in the European Championship final, with an amazing goal scored by Fernando Torres.

Two years later, Spain won the World Cup in Africa, late in the second period of extra time, when Andres Iniesta managed a wonderful right-foot volley for a 1-0 victory against the Netherlands.

This year, Spain became the first nation ever to win two European Championships and three major tournaments in a row, after a clear 4-0 victory against Italy.

All the characteristics of a big team

Just by judging the strength and power of their opponents: Germany in 2008, Netherlands in 2010 and Italy in 2012, we can discover how big are Spain`s accomplishments in the last four years.

The Spanish team gathers all the characteristics of a big team:

1. Strong in defense, with one of the best goalkeepers ever, Iker Casillias, and two incredible central defenders, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.

2. Skillful and talented in the midfield area, with players like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas, all with incredible vision of the game and passing abilities.

3. Efficient and imaginative in attack, with cold-blooded strikers like Fernando Torres and Fernando Llorente and fast wingers like Jesus Navas, Pedro Rodriguez which can destabilize any defense in the world.

A unique strategy and style of play

When they enter the field, the Spanish players have one only thing in mind: to pass the ball until they put their opponents to sleep. This characteristic is revealed by the fact that Spain exits almost all of the matches with a greater ball possession than their opponents. By practicing this style of play, they give their opponents few scoring opportunities. This was emphasized by the fact that Spain surrendered only 1 goal throughout the entire Euro 2012 tournament.

Here is a video-example of Spain`s TIKI-TAKA

2012 records

Vicente del Bosque

After he took the team from Luis Aragones in 2008, Vicente del Bosque managed to win the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012, becoming the first coach to win both of the major tournaments and the Champions League titles.

Fernando Torres

In the 2008 European Championship final, Fernando Torres managed to score the winning goal against Germany. This year, Torres became the first player to score in two consecutive European Championships, beating Buffon just a couple of minutes after he was introduced on the field.

Watch the winning goal scored by Torres in 2008 against Germany