Spain

Spain earned a reputation for being bottlers after failing to fulfil their potential at many big tournaments but they have recently been blessed with an amazing generation of players who have dominated the international stage in recent years. First Spain won the most recent European Championships in 2008 and then they proved themselves on the world stage by winning the World Cup in South Africa. With Spain currently at their peak it has to be wondered if anyone can stop them.

Spain not only have many experienced, world class players but their younger players coming into the squad also look to be top quality so it looks unlikely that Spain will fail at Euro 2012 because of having too old a squad, if anything they have the perfect blend of youth and experience.

Best Bets On Spain At Euro 2012

Here are the best bets on Spain at Euro 2012 in the most popular betting markets:

Spain To Reach The Final

Spain are in the slightly tougher side of the draw in that, presuming they win their group, they will face very tough games in all the knockout rounds with England or France their likely quarter final opponents, Holland or Portugal their most most likely semi final opponents and probably Germany waiting for them in the final. Spain have knocked Germany out of the last two major tournaments but Germany look to have improved since then and Germany can get the edge over Spain in the final.

Spain v Germany Final

Regardless of which way the final goes Spain should be backed to meet Germany in the final of Euro 2012. The draw has been decided and should both teams win their groups as expected they will be on course to meet each other in the final. They look by far the two best teams in the tournament and were the only two teams to win all their qualifying games which backs that statement up and this final is the most likely outcome according to the bookies but still a value price.

David Silva To Be Spain's Top Scorer

David Villa has been top scorer for Spain in the last four qualifying campaigns and major tournaments but there are major doubts about both his fitness and his form heading into Euro 2012 and Spain's back up strikers don't look like they are going to score too many goals. Should Villa miss out or underperform the next most likely scorer for Spain could become David Silva, who has been in great form for Man City over the past season and was Spain's second top scorer behind Villa in qualifying. His ability to roam around the pitch makes him difficult to make and he could easily end up with at least three goals at the Euros.

Spain To Gain Nine Points In Group C

Seven of the last twelve European Championships group winners have won all three group games and one of those were Spain four years ago. Spain are arguably the best side in the world, you can't argue with the fact that they are European and World champions and in a fairly favourable group they should be able to pick up all nine points.

Spain Qualifying Results

Spain were one of just two teams to qualify for Euro 2012 with a 100% win record and they qualified in very impressive fashion, winning all but two of their games by more than one goal. Spain also showed a tendency to concede more often tha in previous competitive matches, they conceded six goals in their eight qualifying matches whilst they conceded just two goals in seven (often harder) matches when winning the World Cup. Spain will need to tighten up at the back if they are to defend their European title.

Spain Euro 2012 Squad

This is the predicted 23 man Spain Euro 2012 squad, when the final squad is announced the squad will be updated:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes.

Defenders: Raul Albiol, Carles Puyol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carlos Marchena, Joan Capdevilla, Jordi Alba.

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Santi Corzola, Thiago, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva

Forwards: Juan Mata, Fernando Llorente, David Villa, Fernando Torres

Spain Player Stats From Euro 2012 Qualifying

Spain Player's Goal Stats

Here are the most important goal stats from Spain's Euro 2012 qualifying group. Use these to pick the best goalscorer bets on Spain's games at Euro 2012.

*All stats reflect bookies rules for own goals and 90 mins play in their respective markets. Three other Spain players scored a single goal during qualifying and there was also one own goal.

Although Spain, as a team, often score the first goal in their matches there isn't one player who stands out as a most likely first goalscorer from their qualifying as they shared the first goals around their team. It looks as though the most likely anytime scorer is once again David Villa, the top scorer at Euro 2008 and joint top scorer at World Cup 2010 outscored his team mates yet again in qualifying. Villa also appears to be the most likely last goalscorer, the Barcelona striker scored the last goal in three of Spain's qualifying matches. David Silva also looks as though he could be good value to score anytime having averaged almost a goal a game in qualifying.

Spain Players' Disciplinary Stats

Check Spain's yellow and red card stats below to help highlight the best bets in the cards markets for Spain's Euro 2012 matches.

Spain had a great disciplinary record during qualifying, they picked up just three yellow cards and no player picked up more than one yellow card over the eight games. This was probably down to the fact that Spain had so much possession in most the games so were less likely to commit fouls. Sergio Ramos has often had disciplinary problems in the past and could prove Spain's most likely player to get booked, although the first booking in most Spain games will probably be a player from the opposition's team.

Spain Team Stats From Euro 2012 Qualifying

Spain's team stats can be found below, these stats can be applied to a multitude of match markets during Euro 2012.

Spain had a great goalscoring record in qualifying, they averaged more than three goals a game and conceded on average less than one goal a game. Spain's defensive record is a little worrying considering the standard of opposition will be much better at Euro 2012. Spain got through the World Cup mostly with 1-0 wins and if they have become complacent defensively then they might find they draw more games in the finals.

Spain nearly always score the first and last goal of the game (7 out of 8 matches) and if they are going to concede it looks more likely they will concede goals at some point in the second half. Spain also scored slightly more goals in the second half. 

It is slightly surprising that Spain couldn't win both halves of more matches, despite holding a lead at half time in six of their matches, Spain only won both halves of three of their qualifying matches.

Spain Recent European Championships Performances

Spain were of course winners of the last European Championships, a massive improvement on their previous showing when they were eliminated at the group stage. This shows that teams can improve dramatically on poor performances four years prior. In 1996 and 2000 Spain showed themselves to be solid performers with quarter final eliminations.