Spain is on the brink of the abyss. The team led by Luis Enrique needs to win to be in the second round of the European Championship , although it could also be worth a draw as long as Poland does not add the three points against Sweden . If they lose to Slovakia at the La Cartuja Olympic stadium, it will be the end. The National Team would be eliminated, would sign one of the greatest ridiculous in the history of the national team and would repeat the sad role that it already played in 2004, when they were not able to pass the first round either.
The Spain of 2004 arrived at the Eurocopa of Portugal with the illusion by the clouds. The team led by Iñaki Sáez aspired to everything in the neighboring country. With a team made up of players like Raúl, Morientes, Iker Casillas, Cañizares, Valerón, Fernando Torres, etc., expectations were high. And the tournament started very well.
In a group that also included Portugal, Greece and Russia, the national team started beating the Russian team 1-0. A goal from Valerón was enough to add the first three points in a match where they deserved more. On the second day the rocky Greece awaited. Morientes advanced to Spain, but Charisteas put an equalizer that would be final. The national team reached the last game with four points and being aware that adding one more against the host would be enough to be in the quarterfinals, but a goal from Nuno Gomes at the beginning of the second half put an end to the illusions of those from Sáez, who finished third and out of the crosses.
That Eurocopa ended up being won by Greece in a final against Portugal. Precisely, the two executioners of Spain. After this bump, came the 2008 and 2012 Euro Cups , where the national team took the title, while in France 2016 they could not beat France in the round of 16.
