KIEV – By thrashing Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev, Spain staked a claim to the title of the greatest international team of all time. Not even Zinedine Zidane's France, or West Germany's great team of the mid-1970s, had ever successfully defended the European Championship before. Not even the many famous Brazil teams, or four-time world champion Italy, or Johan Cruyff's Holland, had ever won back-to-back continental titles with a World Cup in between. A bewitching alliance of technical artistry, intuitive movement and metronomic passing, Spain has refocused perceptions of what it takes to succeed in the international game. In the light of the fate that befell Italy, it seems absurd that Spain could have been criticized for the quality of its football in the days preceding the decider. Spain replied to its critics in the most emphatic way possible at Kiev's Olympic Stadium, to leave coach Vicente del Bosque in no doubt as to the validity of their approach. “The way that the national team is going is clear,” he said. “And we can't only think about the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but afterwards as well. I think the way is clear.” Having agreed to a contract extension prior to the tournament that will keep him at the helm until 2014, Del Bosque can now turn his thoughts to the qualifying campaign for the next World Cup. Spain has friendlies against Puerto Rico and Saudi Arabia before the qualifiers begin with a trip to Georgia on Sept. 11. Heroes' welcome Swathed in the red and yellow colors of Spain, hundreds of thousands packed central Madrid to give a hero's welcome home Monday to “La Roja” — the national soccer team that erased the economically struggling country's gloomy mood by winning the Euro 2012 Championship with flair. With the celebrated team back, it was time to party for a second straight night. After a 2 ½ hour open-air bus ride through the fan-packed streets, squad members took to a stage in Cibeles plaza against the backdrop of Madrid's majestic town hall and danced to pop music. “It was a merited triumph, we made history and now it's time to celebrate it,” said mastermind midfielder Xavi Hernandez, adding that Spain hopes to build on the success of the past four years. “Next we*ll go for the Confederations Cup (2013) and then the World Cup in Brazil (2014), but first we want to enjoy this one.” Earlier, King Juan Carlos and members of the royal family congratulated the players at the Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid within hours of their returning from Kiev. The Iberia plane that brought them to the Spanish capital bore the logo “proud of our national team.” Team captain and goalie Iker Casillas proudly held the tournament cup as he emerged from the plane in Madrid with coach Vicente del Bosque. In the palace gardens, the king, Prince Felipe, his wife, Princess Letizia, and one of the king's two daughters, Princess Elena, chatted and laughed with the players while two of the monarch's grandchildren gazed at and touched the cup. “Congratulations on behalf of the family and the whole of Spain,” the king said. “You have made the entire country happy.” — Agencies
