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It may be boring but we're proud of our style, says Fabregas
Posted Sunday, July 01, 2012 by Dailymail

It may be boring but we're proud of our style, says Fabregas
Forward thinking: Spain coach Vicente del Bosque

That Spanish Cup final was against Athletic Bilbao and the intensive pressing style of that team which has taken its toll on their players is the reason why the likes of striker Fernando Llorente and defender Javier Martinez have played just 25 minutes between them at Euro 2012.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque admires the concept of forwards who ape midfielders - the so-called false No9 - but the idea that not having a traditional No 9 is negative is to misunderstand the way in which football is evolving.

In addition, the finest minds in football have spent the last four years perfecting ways of stopping either Spain or Barca. No one has yet succeeded with Spain, who are on course to win a historic third successive major trophy.

And for those still craving the excitement of a kick-and rush England-Sweden match, consider the statistics of the tournament: Spain are the second top scorers, after Germany; their average of 9.8 shots on target per game is also second in the lists, behind fellow finalists Italy.

Naturally they are top of the possession stats. They have averaged 60 per cent of possession in
Euro 2012 games, just in front of Germany. England managed an average of 43 per cent, joint second bottom with Greece. The only side worse? The Republic of Ireland.

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Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia