Euro laurel integrates Spain

When the final whistle blew on Sunday night at Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna, it did not just confirm Spain as winners of Euro 2008; it also signalled an end to decades of disappointment for a national team. While Spain boasts some of the most talented footballers in the world and arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona regularly contest the Champions League, the national side has long been regarded as a perennial underachiever. “Spain has finally brought an end to their black footballing legend,” stated one newspaper the morning after the victory, while others screamed “At last”. The prolonged losing streak led many to suspect that the country’s regional divisions, illustrated by the rivalry between provincial clubs, undermined the sense of unity needed to achieve international glory. The Catalans and the Basques, whose... [read full story]