Sunday’s Spanish triumph over Italy in the final of Euro 2012 marks their third major international soccer tournament victory in a row. Not only did they raise their third consecutive major trophy (Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010) and set unprecedented marks for international soccer, they cemented their place as the greatest team in international sports history, and possibly sports history in general.
Most Americans, on the heels of the impeccably produced Dream Team documentary will cry foul, and state that there are none better than our American heroes of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The two teams are quite similar in many respects, however, in the major differences between the teams lies the case for why the Spanish dominance in the world’s game and international sports history is more impressive.
First, the similarities, starting with the All-Star team effect. The Dream Team of 1992 was essentially an NBA All-Star team built to compete against the world and showAmerican dominance in a sport we invented. It had players at various points in their careers, but there was little questioning that they were the best collection of American basketball players. The Spanish team is similar, a team built almost entirely of players from powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona. Of the 11 Spanish starters, only one applies their trade outside of the two Spanish giants.
Another striking similarity is how easily the world domination was made to look, with each opponent looking pedestrian at best. The Dream Team won every game of the 1992 Olympics by over 30 points, Spain only lost 1 game in 19 over their 4 year dominance, capping it off with a 4-0 dismantling of Italy in which Andrea Pirlo’s hair didn’t lose one bit of shape or volume. Spain only conceded one goal in their march to Euro 2012 glory. Both teams were head and shoulders above any competition.
The dominance of the two teams against their rest of the world cannot be argued. When looking at the differences between the two teams, however, we see why Spain’s dominance is more impressive. The first difference can be considered the rosters of the two teams. The Dream Team was playing a sport their nation invented, and of the 12 on the roster, 11 of them (all save the single amateur Christian Laettner) were better than any other player in the entire tournament, most would even be Hall of Fame inductees. They had the 11 best basketball players on the world, on one team. The Spanish team, despite their All-Star team nature and unquestionable dominance, does not have either of the two best players in the world on their team. Lionel Messi, Barcelona teammate of 6 Spanish starters, plays for Argentina, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid teammate of 4 Spanish starters, was part of the Portuguese side that Spain knocked out in the Semi-Finals. Spain’s collection of talent is unprecedented, but unlike the Dream Team, there was still a good bit of residual talent among the competition.
The second major difference between the teams is Spain’s unmatched longevity. The Dream Team was a one-off, never to be seen again event. This is part of the allure that I appreciate as much as any American should. That team could have more than likely won subsequent Olympic and World Championships, but the fact is, they didn’t. Spain did. A Spanish team captained by Iker Casillas through 4 years and 3 major tournaments did. As previously stated, they only lost 1 game in that 19-game stretch (a fluke 1-0 opening group game loss to Switzerland). In fact, the only other Spanish loss in a competitive fixture since 2008 came to the United States in the 2009 Confederations Cup (America wins in the end!). Just two losses in 42 games, over a stretch of 4 years.
The American national basketball team changes for each tournament it is in, players who are injured don’t make the rosters, and new All-Stars replace them. In the eight years following the Dram Team this system worked fairly successfully, but eventually the team began underachieving dramatically, despite still having many of the best players on the planet on the team. Over the past 4 years and 3 tournaments, Spain has consistently used the same players for this unmatchable run. Of the Euro 2012 Final starters, eight of them also started the 2010 World Cup Final, and seven started the Euro 2008 Final. Had it not been for injuries to Barcelona duo Carles Puyol, who also has great hair, and David Villa, those numbers would surely stand at ten and eight, respectively. This group of players has been nearly untouchable for 4 years, and almost every one of them figures to be back for World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Spanish players and soccer players in general would give anything to play for their national team, as international glory is the pinnacle of their sport, despite the pay being fractions of what they make for their clubs. Modern NBA All-Stars do not share this sentiment and at the 1996 Olympics, hosted at home in Atlanta, only 5 of the Dream Team were back to compete again. This 1996 team dominated, with an average margin of victory of 31.6 points, but that was where the domination ended and players will to participate diminished. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the Americans narrowly won gold (though Vince Carter did this), and in 2004, they only managed a Bronze. The Spanish players are giving up their summer holidays to compete for their country, regardless of the pay, because of national pride. The NBA All-Stars have recently been dropping out of the Olympics to rest as opposed to working hard to prepare for them. This disproportionate passion, I believe, directly translates to the citizens of the respective countries.
Lastly, and probably most important, is the outpouring of emotion and international passion involved in the Spanish victory as opposed to the 1992 Dream Team. The Olympics are a massive worldwide event, and the Dream Team headlined the 1992 Olympics, without question. However, basketball is a game cherished by us Americans and a few select areas of Europe. Soccer, World Cups, and European Championships are loved and watched by the world. When the Dream Team won gold, they were expected to, and there was very little celebration involved. For us Americans, it was a confirmation of our prowess at a sport we created and an always welcome but not infrequent showcase of supreme dominance. Despite being the reigning champions and World Cup holders, the emotion of the world and specifically the Spanish nation in support of La Roja and their victory was overwhelming. This emotion and passion is unmatched across any other domestic or international sport.
With their dynasty cemented, the Spanish journey will be one to watch in two-years’ time in South America, as a roster made up of likely these same invincibles will again look to march to another major tournament championship. Maybe then, despite my feelings of their superiority already, can I make the appeal to Americans that Spain is indeed a larger dynasty than the 1960s Boston Celtics or 1990s Chicago Bulls (GASP).
Additionally, the Spanish win because they have more attractive wives and girlfriends (eg. Shakira). Let’s all just hope Sergio Ramos doesn’t do this again.
