Is Spain's squad good enough to retain the Euro?

4 years ago, Spain finally became the European champions after 44 years of title drought. Regarded as one of the most complete teams, they went on to win the Fifa World Cup 2010.

Can Spain win the title again and be the first ever team in history to defend their European championship title?

This is the question going through every football fan’s mind around the globe. With many saying “Spain is the team to beat in Euro 2012“, there are others who say “A new champion will be crowned this year around”. With less then a week remaining for the mega event to take place, Poland and Ukraine being the co-hosts, fans have their fingers crossed to see who will place their hands on the title on July 1st.

If you compare the 2008 and 2012 squads of Spain, they are almost the same. The biggest heartbreak for the Spain fans will be the absence of David Villa and Carlos Puyol. Villa, one of the finest finishers of the game, has missed most of the season with an injury. Still, Spain has got a formidable attack with the likes of Fernando Torres, Pedro, Fernando Llorente, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo. A knee injury ruled out Carlos Puyol, which means his Barcelona team-mate Gerard Pique will be up with a new partner.

Spain fans would be praying that Fernando Torres fires in Euro 2012. Not in the best form for most of the season, he has shown signs of returning to it, helping Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League. He even put himself on the scoresheet in Spain’s warm up match against South Korea. He could be partnered by Pedro, who struck twice helping Barcelona win the Spanish Cup final.

The midfield for Spain is as solid as ever, with huge names that include Xavi, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Fabregas, David Silva, Juan Mata, Sergio Busquets and Santi Cazorla. Barcelona team-mates Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Busquets will like to command the midfield. Silva and Alonso have been in good form helping Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively to win titles. Juan Mata has also been a part of the Chelsea squad that won the champions league.

Pique and Sergio Ramos, La Liga rivals, would be the heart of the defence of the defending champions with the likes of Arbeloa, Juanfran, Raul Albiol, Alba and Martinez supporting them. They would be happy by the fact that the goal will be guarded by one of the finest goal keepers in Iker Casillas.

Described by many as an “all round team”, Spain would start their campaign on 10th of June against Italy. Croatia and Ireland are the other two teams that complete their group.

As a strong contender for the Euro 2012, lets see whether Spain are able to defend their title!