As with education, the goal of a glorious past in football is to turn that mirror of self-reflection into a window to project oneself into the future.
Four thousand four days after lifting the Eurocup trophy to the skies of Kiev, the national team once again looks into the silver reflection of the UEFA Nations League this Sunday (8:45 PM Spanish peninsula time, live on La1 with comprehensive coverage by this official media) to reign once again over the Old Continent.
Along the way, there were two finals (Confederations 2013 and the previous Nations League in 2021), the sadness of World Cup penalties in Qatar, and tons of work and excitement leading up to the momentous encounter against Croatia at Feyenoord Stadium, popularly known as De Kuip (The Bathtub).
DISCOVER DE KUIP STADIUM IN ROTTERDAM, VENUE OF THE GRAND FINAL
Immersing themselves in glory won't be easy considering that Spain will have their best European barometer in front of them: Croatia, whom they have faced in the last three European Championships (2012 with a goal from Navas, 2016 with a defeat in Bordeaux, and 2020 with a penalty shootout victory), as well as in the first edition of the Nations League (a thrashing in Elche and a defeat in Zagreb).
Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, and Perisic, to name only their intimidating midfield, come from reaching the semifinals in Qatar and defeating the Dutch hosts, with their coach Zlatko Dalic skillfully managing the resources of a country as small in population as it is excellent in competitiveness and football talent.
Listen to the statements of Luis de la Fuente and Rodrigo Hernández during the pre-match press conference.
Against the Balkan arguments, Luis de la Fuente's team arrives brimming with desire, with all 23 called-up players available and full of morale after the brilliant victory against Italy in the Enschede semifinal.
With one day less of rest than the opponent but without having gone into extra time like Croatia against the Netherlands, physical condition may make the difference at this stage of the season, with the Spanish team confident that their coach has assured in the preview that the players are in their best moment of the season.
There will be a slight chance of rain at the time of the match, with a forecasted temperature of 23 degrees Celsius and the enthusiastic support of around six thousand Spaniards who will populate the stands of Rotterdam, with a total capacity allowed by UEFA of 41,500 seats.
Thus, the Dutch port city becomes the football epicenter of Spain, whose shockwaves will extend two thousand kilometers to a Peninsula where 48 million supporters await, almost eleven years later, to see themselves with a smile in the mirror, happy to celebrate a title of the team of everyone.