Euro 2022 is Spain’s fourth European Championships, and they go into it as many people’s favourites – despite never having won a knockout match at a major tournament.

Spain have enjoyed substantial success at youth level for the past decade, and their squad consists of the spine of one of the best club side’s in world football in Barcelona, resulting in a great deal of hype and excitement around the team during the build up to the tournament – and with good reason.

Here’s everything you need to know about Spain ahead of Euro 2022.

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Spain qualified in pretty spectacular style for Euro 2022, winning seven of their eight matches and scoring 48 goals – the joint most of any side during qualification – to top their group. Their only dropped points came against Poland, where they were held to a 0-0 draw back in November 2019.

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Euro 2022 will be Spain’s fourth European Championships, and although they have progressed from the group during their three previous Euros outings, they have never won a knockout game.

Euro 1984: Did not qualify
Euro 1987: Did not qualify
Euro 1989: Did not qualify
Euro 1991: Did not qualify
Euro 1993: Did not qualify
Euro 1995: Did not qualify
Euro 1997: Semi-finals
Euro 2001: Did not qualify
Euro 2005: Did not qualify
Euro 2009: Did not qualify
Euro 2011: Did not qualify
Euro 2015: Quarter finals
Euro 2017: Quarter finals

It’s a similar story at the World Cup, with two appearances at the tournament but no knockout round victory.

1991 World Cup: Did not qualify
1995 World Cup: Did not qualify
1999 World Cup: Did not qualify
2003 World Cup: Did not qualify
2007 World Cup: Did not qualify
2011 World Cup: Did not qualify
2015 World Cup: Group stages
2019 World Cup: Round of 16

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Spain boast the spine of Barcelona’s glittering side in their Euro 2022 squad – and the jewell in the crown is Alexia Putellas. The 2021 Ballon d’Or winner is the creative driving force for both club and country, renowned for her vision, passing and athleticism.

Putellas heads to Euro 2022 in a rich vein of form, having finished the 2021/22 domestic season with 18 goals and 15 assists as Barcelona surged to a third successive league title. The 28-year-old is a vital part of Spain’s revered midfield three and is key to her side’s possession-based brand of football.

While it’s hard to talk about Spain without mentioning Barcelona or their midfield, Manchester United fullback Ona Batlle is one to watch at Euro 2022. An absolute live wire with her dogged defending and ability to tear forward, Euro 2022 will be the 23-year-old’s maiden major tournament and her first opportunity to shine on the international stage.

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Spain have been managed by Jorge Vilda since 2015, and he has overseen the country’s gradual rise into a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

Vilda’s influence on this Spain side goes beyond his appointment to the top job in 2015. Prior to taking the role, the 40-year-old had been in charge of Spain’s Under-17 side between 2009 and 2014, and the Under-19 side between 2014 and 2015. Spain enjoyed great success at youth level under Vilda’s guidance, winning the Under 17 European Championships on two occasions, finishing runners up at the Under 17 World Cup in 2014, and twice finishing as runners up at the Under 19 Euros.

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Four members of Spain’s 2010 Under-17 European Championship winning squad – managed by Vilda – have been selected by Vilda for Euro 2022; Alexia Putellas, Ivana Andres, Lola Gallardo and Sandra Panos.

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Date & time: Friday 8 July, 17:00 (BST)
Venue: Stadium MK
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)

Date & time: Tuesday 12 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)

Date & time: Saturday 16 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
How to watch on TV: BBC iPlayer (UK)

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Spain find themselves in the group of death at Euro 2022, and will face stiff competition from Germany and Denmark for top spot. Top the group and they will face the Group A runner up in the quarter finals – likely either Norway or England – followed by a semi final meeting against the winner of Group D or the runner up from Group C – presumably either France, Sweden or the Netherlands.

Should Spain finish as group runners up, the winner of Group A will await in the quarter finals – again, likely either England or Norway. The Group C winner would then be their most likely semi final opponent – presumably either Sweden or the Netherlands.

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Goalkeepers: Sandra Panos (Barcelona), Lola Gallardo (Atletico Madrid), Misa Rodriguez (Real Madrid).

Defenders: Irene Parades (Barcelona), Mapi Leon (Barcelona), Leila Ouahabi (Man City), Andrea Pereira (Barcelona), Ivana Andres (Real Madrid), Ona Batlle (Man Utd), Laia Aleixandri (Man City), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Sheila Garcia (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona), Patri Guijarro (Barcelona), Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Irene Guerrero (Atletico Madrid).

Forwards: Lucia Garcia (Athletic Club), Esther Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Marta Cardona (Real Madrid), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid), Claudia Pina (Barcelona), Salma Paralluelo (Villarreal).

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It’s important to remember that Spain are not quite Barcelona; they don’t have the Spanish champions revered front three, and are also missing the goals of the injured Jenni Hermoso (although their recent thumping victory over Australia suggests this may not be an issue).

Spain have a squad with the talent capable of winning Euro 2022 – it’s just the sheer volume of elite sides they’ll have to face along the way that could be their downfall, given how tough their group and potential route to the final is.

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