26th Jun 2008
Viva Espana
Toreros, toreros, toreros!
From la Castillana in Madrid, up las Ramblas in Barcelona and on top of the Alhambra the finest acclamation to any Spanish male will be filling the warm Spanish night. I remember that summer in Malaga like it was yesterday. Santillana, Juanito - the local hero - and the nation fell only at the last hurdle in 1984. Then it was France in Paris and on Sunday it will be Germany in Vienna.
Spain ran Russia like a great bullfighter runs the finest bull. The first half is for studying your opponent, testing his weaknesses, probing for opportunities. Then seamlessly the fight turns serious and the crowd responds - torero, torero - a few great passes - ole, ole - and wait for the kill. When it comes it is clinical and swift. The culmination of rhythmic movement and intuitive teamwork. Gol, Gol, Gol - the giant Russian empire is brought to its knees - a clean kill and the crowd responds.
Two ears and the tail, 0ne for each goal, the prize for the heroes of Vienna.
Spain may only come to play once in a generation but when they do it embodies everything they believe in. That match 24 years ago made me a football fan. Spain did not just reach a European final, they reached in style.
Toreros, toreros, toreros!
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