Spanish craving will silence cynics

Graham Hunter explains why Spain's winning mentality means that Cesare Prandelli was absolutely right to dismiss the cynics ahead of the holders' Group C match with Croatia.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli used a couple of phrases in the build-up to the last Group C games which, personally speaking, I thought were absolutely beautiful.

The fact that a 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia is guaranteed to eliminate Italy has caused some misguided souls to wonder whether such a prospect might affect Vicente del Bosque and his team in their approach to the match.

Prandelli, on that subject, was resoundingly right when he argued: "Spain will go out to win." And he added: "We must never give in to the culture of the idle conspiracy theory." When it comes to this Spanish era, this coach, these players, the elegant Italian couldn't have been more accurate. Although basically it's all about mentality, personality and outlook, even the simple statistics give a handy guide.

Over their last four tournament appearances – UEFA EURO 2008, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2010 FIFA World Cup and now this event in Poland and Ukraine – Spain have played 20 matches, lost two, drawn one and won all the rest. In qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012, long after safe passage to this tournament was assured, Spain went out and won every match irrespective of who was fit for them, what the pitch was like and whether a draw might have been acceptable.

©AFP/Getty Images

Spain's footballers crave that winning feeling

La Roja have established that pattern for several reasons. The entire philosophy which has radicalised world attitudes to what it's possible to achieve with a football at the top level (I'd argue that both FC Barcelona and Spain, in particular, have added lustre to people's view on attacking, flair-based football over recent years) is based on winning. Not entertainment as a first objective, not holding possession as a first objective – winning.

It is a parallel but important fact that the manner in which this team wants to play can look spectacular, adventurous, relentlessly technical and romantic. And you only need to get to know this crop of players – plus some like Marcos Senna, Joan Capdevila, Carles Puyol and David Villa who have, permanently or temporarily, fallen by the wayside – a little to understand that they crave victory. They are that elite group in life who have been given the necessary tools, the driving hunger and the personal equilibrium to make winning part of their genetic make-up.

Spain are not, in the least, invulnerable. All around their training camp, you can read slogans such as 'History doesn't make you a champion, humility does,' or 'History doesn't score goals, talent does.' They know that if they relax against Croatia, in any way, then defeat and elimination are both available as results.