Once underdogs, now the favourites: Spain’s ‘magical’ rise to the top ahead of EURO 2025 final

It may be hard to believe given recent dominance, but there was a time when Spain were considered underdogs going into big football tournaments.

UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is perhaps the first in which they’ve entered as the undisputed favourites to lift the title.

The status stems from their incredible success in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, lifting their first piece of major silverware with a 1-0 win over England.

What has changed from the side who had never even reached a European final before, to the one tipped to lift this year’s edition?

Xavi Vilajoana, former Director at Barcelona who oversaw Barça Femeni’s development, believes it ultimately comes down to the players.

“It’s magical – their quality, tactical ability, and calmness on the ball is world-class,” he exclusively told Olympics.com.

“Their success is due to the consistency we see across the squad. They gel as a unit, but in a way that does not dim individual players who can still showcase their distinct style.

“You get the feeling that they know each other and each other’s style of play so much that they can read the game based on instinct – to me, this is the magic of the group that has allowed them to succeed.”

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