EURO 2016 – Spain vs Czech Republic : 21:00 June 13, 2016

Once more, Spain will try to honour their recent history by lifting another European title this summer. Nevertheless, the Golden Age of Spanish football seems to have lived its final moments during the 2014 World Cup, so their chances of success in this tournament aren’t as safe as they used to be. Their first match of the competition will be against the Czech Republic, a team that has shown its class in the European tournament since 1996, and could end up giving Del Bosque’s men more than one headache.

Spain

The Spanish side has been limping ever since the 2014 World Cup, and such names as Xavi Hernández, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres or David Villa are long gone. Legendary playmaker Andrés Iniesta and Iker Casillas will have to carry Spain on their shoulders this time, considering they don’t get to this tournament in high spirits.

Doubts about the team’s performance emerge due to their lack of consistency in recent months. Spain managed to win only one of their most recent four games, with two draws and one loss to add to their tally. Furthermore, La Roja’s strikers haven’t been able to shine up front, excluding their match against South Korea. With a new generation of players living their first European experience, the Spanish team will have to prove they can really measure up and end up lifting the cup on July 10.

Striker Alvaro Morata is set to lead Spain’s attack this summer. Will he be able to fill Diego Costa’s shoes?

Czech Republic

The team from Eastern Europe will try to reach the knockout stage for the fourth time ever under coach Pavel Vrba. The Czechs will have available an experienced squad that could be living their final major tournament, and with that in mind, they’ll surely try to make an impact while emulating their performance in the 1996 Euro, when they reached the final match against Germany.

Vrba’s men won Group A of the Euro 2016 Qualifiers, winning seven games, with Iceland and Turkey joining them in the continental tournament as well. One of the most shining moments of their qualifying process came when they defeated The Netherlands in the final match, eliminating the Oranje from the competition.

Petr Cech will return to the continental tournament, hoping his team can repeat their 1996 performance.

Did you know?

• Spain and the Czech Republic have played four matches between them. La Roja has won three of those games, adding one draw to their overall tally.
• Before the Czech Republic emerged as a country, the team dominated Spain in 12 matches. The Checo-Slovakian side won seven of those games, with one draw and four wins for La Roja.
• The most recent match between Spain and the Czech Republic was held on October, 2011. La Roja won that match with a 2-0 score line, thanks to goals by Mata and Xabi Alonso.