Spain set foot into their first Euros final with a 1-0 win over Germany. They have run amok over most of their opponents, but this was a true test of their nerve, and Montse Tome talked to the press about how the side “suffered” on their way to a historic victory that could lead to more silverware.
- ‘I’ve always felt absolute confidence’
Spain have bowed out of the last three editions of the Euros at the quarter-final stage. So, to return to the semi-final for the first time since 1997, they had to make history with a first triumph in the knockout stages of this competition, dumping out Switzerland with two strikes in the second half.
Now, they are in their first Euros final, and this fixture was a challenge that took them to the edge.
“I felt absolutely delighted because I think it was a hard-fought match, a match we knew was going to turn out the way it did, which was surely going to be very even, very competitive, and we knew we had to have that mentality to resist Germany, a team with a lot of physicality, a lot of power.”
The hard work has paid off, and the outcome has already brought satisfaction to the 43-year-old.
“I feel fulfilled, I feel happy. I feel like the work has paid off, that we’ve managed to build a team. We are in a difficult period, but I feel that with hard work and time, we managed to turn things around.”
This triumph is also a historic moment because it marks the first time La Roja have beaten Germany. Tome was in charge of the side when the two nations met in the third place playoff at the Olympics and lost 1-0 in the summer of 2024. This performance might not have been an emphatic victory for their model of probing possession, but it is no less pleasing for the manager and all of her players.
“I think the team was like that until the end, trying to score, trying to keep the ball. Well, I’ve seen the possession data, we’re at 60-something, and we wanted to dominate Germany in a different way. But we did manage to win for the first time. It’s an immense joy, and in the end, above all, you remember all of the time that is invested, the staff, all the work, the players, and it is a mix of many emotions.”
A defensively disciplined display from the Germans forced the favourites to try a series of solutions.
“We were looking for a lot of balls to the wingers, the wingers in width, to get the ball there and from there, launch our attacks inside and out. In the second half, we looked for other players with different profiles like Salma, Atenea, and Martín to break up that defensive line and go deeper with greater speed. The success has been the result of all those who started and all those who have finished.”
Even as penalties loomed, Tome never doubted that her group would come out on top. It is the stress of these situations that separates the wheat from the chaff and can convince spectators that this Spanish squad has what it takes to do what other talented outfits have failed in the recent past.
“We rehearsed penalties. We had a list if there was a penalty during the 90 minutes, and if we went to the shootout, there was another list. This is something we anticipate, and well, the truth is that, inside, I’ve always felt absolute confidence in this team. We’ve suffered. We’ve suffered when you’re at the highest level. Enjoying suffering is like that. You have to reach this level to realize what it is like.”
- ‘They were both very good in duels’
Tome talked positively about the group, giving them credit for their tough mentality to persevere.
“We always had a very talented group of players, and my staff, like everyone else on this team, have dedicated a lot of time to figuring out what to do and to be able to support the players as they deserve. We made a leap forward at all levels. These players are increasingly mentally competitive, stronger.”
However, every clash throws up particular players who shine, and they earned plaudits in this presser.
Since Die Frauen were on the back foot, the Spaniards had to keep an eye on the outlet ball from their opponents. Tome talked about the transition being a threat before kickoff, and she identified a pair of 1 v 1 battles that demanded a solid response from two of her defenders to hold onto a clean sheet.
“We knew we would have two important duels. Klara Buhl and Jule Brand are the best Germany has to offer, and it was a great match for the fullbacks because they were going to be very demanding. I think that they were both very good in the duels, and I think both fullbacks did a spectacular job.”
Finally, the manager mentioned some things that make the match winner such a special individual.
Aitana Bonmati might not have even played in the Euros after she suffered from viral meningitis on the eve of the competition and had to spend some time in hospital. But she battled back to be on the bench for the opener against Portugal and was a member of the starting eleven against Italy.
“She has managed to overcome the health problems she had at the start of the Euros, and I think that the work with her back has been adequate to be where she is now. She helps the team a lot, both her and all the players, and I think each player today has played an important role in the team.”
Her resilience adds to the top technical qualities that have made her a mainstay in the midfield.
“Aitana did not have an easy start to this European Championship. But she is a player with a very special personality to perform at the highest level. She is a player who has the ability to overcome the opposition lines while driving, to break into those spaces where she creates opportunities and scores.”
She was smart enough to see that Ann-Katrin Berger was not guarding her near post and put the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle. Her first goal of the tournament could not have come at a better time, and the rest of the squad were only too glad to celebrate the moment with the midfielder.
“With this happiness, the entire bench took to the pitch with joy, but I quickly spoke with the players because we had to adjust something defensively and be able to finish the minutes of extra time well.”