Spain Euro 12: Don't Expect Spain to Repeat as European Champs

After winning 41 of their last 45 matches, the Spanish national team comes into the 2012 European Championship tournament as one of the hottest teams in the world and the favorites to repeat.

As good as they have looked, Spain will not win the tournament again this year.

With injuries piling up, a tough group and rumors of turmoil amongst the players, this is the perfect chance for another team to knock the defending champions off their perch.

Injuries

With injuries to key players such as Carles Puyol and David Villa, the once devastating Spanish national team has come down to earth a bit and may be facing its toughest test right off the bat with the Italian national team.

As much as the Spanish will try and replace the skills of Villa with one man, it should be Fernando Llorente that adds the offensive touch that was lost through injuries.

Tough Group

Not only do the Spanish have to face off with a world power such as Italy in Group C, but they have to face the underrated Croatian team and the most defensively sound squad in Ireland.

While Group B has earned the moniker “Group of Death,” Group C is right behind them as one of the hardest divisions to be successful in. If the Spanish want to advance, they will have to earn every inch they take.

Turmoil Amongst the Players

While this is the time of the year when all the players should be fighting for the same cause, there may be more disconnect in the Spanish squad than most teams face in the European Championships.

ESPN breaks down the possible team chemistry issues:

…Conjecture over fraught relations between the Real Madrid and Barcelona players within the Spanish camp has ramped up doubts over the team's cohesion.

The last thing a soccer mega-power like Spain needs is turmoil amongst their own ranks. If a team sees their weaknesses, they will play on them and the perennial favorite may be heading home early.

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