Spain, going for the Women's Euro: "It would confirm that we have a historic generation."

A thorn in the side of the Spanish women's national football team has long been in their side's side: the European Championship . Since their last continental tournament appearance in 2022, La Roja has emerged as the ultimate rival: World Cup champions in 2023, Nations League champions in 2024, and, although much more was expected of them, an Olympic diploma after finishing fourth in Paris 2024, their first Games .

Three years ago, La Roja landed in England with the worst possible news: Alexia Putellas ' serious knee injury . A mental blow from which Spain would recover in time to reach the quarterfinals. However, their continental adventure would only end there, with the feeling that they could have done much more, gone much further: the Three Lions , the nation that has become their great nemesis in recent years for the world throne, would come back in 12 minutes to reach the semis and leave La Roja empty-handed on their way home. Now, the time has come to change history and seek redemption in the form of a trophy .

"We've grown accustomed to assuming the role of favorites, both at the club and national team levels, but we take it responsibly because we've earned it ," acknowledged Aitana Bonmatí at the national team training camp, although she noted that "there are some great teams and we have to respect them, but it's true that we're one of the favorites."

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner also emphasized that lifting the Euro Cup "would be like confirming that our current generation is a historic one ," and analyzed her role on the team as one of the captains: "I have that character and that competitive responsibility that is contagious. After all, I'm already 27 years old, and I think that can benefit the group."

Alexia Putellas was more cautious about Spain's performance at the European Championship, acknowledging the self-imposed demands of the dressing room, but reminding everyone that "we're talking about top teams in the world." "We focus on playing, and the matches and titles are there, so everyone is free to put Spain wherever they want. What I'm left with is that, in the end , our opponents are showing more and more respect for us when it comes to playing, and that means we're doing things right, and it's up to us to keep it that way," she concluded.

For the culé, however, the continental tournament is special: " It's a competition I've been thinking about since the injury I suffered the day before the start of the last European Championship . I'm really looking forward to it; I've been preparing for this moment for a long time."

"Having the almost obligatory victory in the Euros puts a lot of pressure on ourselves," said Irene Paredes, who noted that winning a competition like this "requires a lot of work." "You have to do things very well and then, at certain moments in the games, things will go your way. I think we have to demand that we perform at a good level, and I think we're the first to demand that of ourselves, to work hard for it," she concluded.

For Olga Carmona, the scorer of the goal that made Spain world champions, the objective is clear: " The European Championship is the title we're missing, and we want to get it . We have that motivation and we're working hard to arrive at the tournament in great shape." The new PSG player announced that the group is "training very hard and building up a lot of energy to arrive in the best possible position for the debut, so we have to know how to manage fatigue," but promised that they will try to "get to Switzerland and do something great." The road to glory begins on July 3 against Portugal.