With two goals came the Spanish Under-21 European to Denmark to win and clinch the Olympic Games in London next year. Both were met. It was necessary to participate in the Olympics, because our football had not made an appearance in the last two appointments. In the last participation in Sydney 2000, lost the final against Cameroon Eto'o on penalties. But eight years ago, precisely in the Games in Barcelona, Spanish football teams level achieved one of its greatest successes by winning the gold medal with a group of players who became known as the Quinta de Cobi, in honor the pet of those Olympics.
Not that the Olympic football reserved for players under 23, is highly regarded in the world of football. Within the program of the games themselves is not a major sport. However, those Olympics were fighting in Spain, where soccer is the sport, and that gave an addition to the participation of young talent in our country. Finally, the tough final against Poland was the most watched event in Barcelona 92. The Olympic gold in Barcelona could be considered until the arrival of the current generation, the greatest success of our football with Euro 1964.
That combo was led by Vicente Miera, technical Cantabrian extensive experience in our football. He was not very successful senior team in 1991 after replacing Luis Suarez. After being removed from office, was allowed to take charge of the Olympic combined, for that was second to a myth as the former Barcelona Kubala. The Spanish participation was taken very seriously to the point that the group concentrated prior to the tournament for 54 days! Cervera de Pisuerga. So the moral Spanish players caught the successful participation of Miguel Indurain on French roads. Those days was the guiding light to take the path to success.
The group consisted of twenty players, some settled in first, as Guardiola, who had won the European Cup with Barcelona, others began to operate at the highest level as in Cadiz Kiko (Quico then), and some as porters Toni and Canizares played on second with Figueres and Merida, respectively.
Eleven types Toni was in goal, which ended as a starter after starting Cañizares, a defense of five with Ferrer (Barcelona) on the right, Abelardo (Sporting), Solozábal Lopez (Atlético) in the center and Lasa (Real Madrid ) on the left in midfield was Guardiola brain and quarterback, with Luis Enrique (Real Madrid) on your right and Berges (Celtic) on your left, although constantly exchanging places with Lhasa, in point, a pair high-level Alfonso (Real Madrid) and Kiko. Soler (Mallorca) and Amavisca (Valladolid) were the most commonly used substitutes. The list is completed Paqui (Tenerife), Billabona (Athletic), Vidal (Mallorca), Miguel (Ray), Manjarín (Sporting), and Pinilla (Barcelona).
It was a team that rested its security pillars back, not without reason did not receive a single goal until the final. However, it was not for a defensive team, but trying to take the lead in the meetings. Also made good passing game and strategy with the incorporation of the mills. In addition, Kiko was the top scorer with five goals and one of its indisputable figures.
Spain was in group C together with Colombia, Egypt and Qatar. The debut was against the South Americans, those who had utmost respect, thanks to a good generation of players like Harold Lozano, and especially Aristizábal Asprilla, who had emigrated to Italian football. Colombia, who had left out of the tournament to Argentina and Brazil, disappointed to not pass the first phase. The first match was solved by the Spanish side won 4-0 with goals from Guardiola, Kiko, and Luis Enrique Berges.
Next came Egypt and Qatar, two perfect desooia.Eas. In those days it was more difficult to access information, but not only young players begin to gain a foothold in the Spanish soccer: a certain Julio Maldonado, who styled himself as the legendary Italian left-back, spent a few videos to the coaching staff in which analyzed the Egyptian and Qatari teams. You promised. In Egypt's 2-0 defeat with goals from Solozábal y Soler, and Qatar by the same score with Kiko and Alfonso as scorers.
In the quarter expect the toughest match of the tournament: Italy Peruzzi, Albertini and Dino Baggio. Spain finally won with a goal in a game tactically Kiko perfect Spanish team. In the semifinals, the rival would be Ghana, revelation of the tournament which was defeated 2-0 with goals from Abelard and Berges. The Celtic player was one of the most pleasant surprises of the Spanish team. Until then, all parties had played in Mestalla, then known as the Estadio Luis Casanova.
But the final would be a packed Nou Camp with 95,000 spectators. The rival, played a difficult Juskowiak Poland where, he would race in Germany, Kowalczyk, who played for Betis, or Staniek, who did the same at Osasuna. A strong team, orderly and not without quality. Following a first thick part where Spain took the initiative without generating excessive danger, Poland surprised the stroke of halftime with a goal after taking advantage of an error Kowalczyk of Abelard and Lopez.
After the break, Spain turned to the scoreboard with a goal by Abelardo head and another Kiko after a mistake not to miss Poland. Amavisca had entered Lhasa, giving more depth to the Spanish game. However, Staniek tie the game again. But the best was yet to come : a point after the match, Luis Enrique would throw a shot in defense of Poland, but Kiko would be watching to catch the rebound, sending the ball into the back of the net, unleashing the madness in the stage and lead to one of the images most famous of our football. Spain was Olympic champion.
Some players of that generation had a prolific career in soccer, while others had a more discreet way. Only a few were common to the senior team. However, all were part of a team that went down in history of football.
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In NDF | Out of Africa
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