Spain national under-23 football team
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Nickname(s) | La Rojita (The Little Red One) La Furia Roja (The Red Fury) | ||
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Association | Royal Spanish Football Federation (Real Federación Española de Fútbol – RFEF) | ||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
Head coach | Luis Milla | ||
Most caps | Luis Enrique (14) | ||
Top scorer | Kiko (7) | ||
FIFA code | ESP | ||
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First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Novi Sad, Yugoslavia; 18 June 1969) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (El Ejido, Spain; 1 July 2005) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Birmingham, United States; 27 July 1996) | |||
Olympics | |||
Appearances | 4 (first in 1992) | ||
Best result | Winners: 1992 |
Olympic medal record | ||
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Men's Football | ||
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1920 Antwerp | Team[1] |
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1992 Barcelona | Team |
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2000 Sydney | Team |
Medal record | ||
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U-23 Mediterranean Games | ||
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2005 Almería, Spain | Team |
Spain's Olympic football team (also known as Spain Under-23, or Spain U-23) represents Spain in international football competitions in the Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except the Olympics allows the men's team up to three overage players. The team is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Having qualified for four Olympic competitions since 1992, Spain has won one gold medal (1992) and one silver medal (2000), It is after Argentina the second most successful Olympic team.[2]
History
1920–1988 Summer Olympics
Unlike later tournaments, the Summer Olympics used to be represented by senior or amateur teams. Spain's first participation in the Olympics was in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1920. Fourteen teams entered the competition which was organized on a knockout basis. Twelve teams entered the first round, with the six winners joining the host nation (Belgium) and France, in the quarter-finals. Czechoslovakia, participating in their first international tournament, cruised to the final, inflicting heavy defeats on Yugoslavia (who played their first ever international match in the competition), Norway, and France. Belgium beat a talented Spain and then the Netherlands on their way to the final. Belgium won the gold medal by default after Czechoslovakia walked off in protest during the final, unhappy with the performance of the English referee, John Lewis. The Bergvall System was used to determine second and third places. The beaten quarter-finalists played-off, Spain emerged triumphant overcoming Sweden 2–1 and Italy 2–0. Ordinarily, Spain would then have played the beaten finalists, but Czechoslovakia had been disqualified from the tournament. Spain thus advanced straight to the silver medal match against Holland, beaten in the semi-finals by gold medallists Belgium. Spain won 3–1.
1924 was not as successful, Spain bowed out of competition in round 1 after losing to Italy 1–0
At the 1928 Summer Olympics things would go from good to worse. Spain were, potentially, much to be feared. Defeated once since the last Olympic Games tournament their traditional tournament nerves would handicap them here, a key note that would strike throughout the coming years. The unavoidable loss of their experienced captain Pedro Vallana after their first game, though, would cost them dearly. Spain started with a 7–1 win over Mexico, then a 1–1 draw against Italy which would cause the match to go on a reply. There Spain were eventually eliminating with a 1–7 defeat.
Spain would not compete in another Olympic tournament until the 1968 edition held in Mexico. There the team fielded an under-21 amateur squad and reached the quarter-finals, losing only to the host nation.
The team's final two tournament came in 1976 and 1980, where they failed to make it out of the group stage.
Debut and Gold at the 1992 Summer Olympics
The football competition at the 1992 Summer Olympics was the first under-23 competition. Spain were awarded a place at the tournament due to being the host nation. Expectations were high for the Spanish team and they did not disappoint: The team was able to win their very first gold medal after winning their group stage, defeating long-time rivals Italy in the quarter-finals and lastly Poland in the finals, 3–2.
1996 Summer Olympics
Spain were able to qualify for the following Olympics, managed by then coach Javier Clemente. La Rojita failed to repeat its past success and were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up Argentina.
Silver at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Sydney
Spain qualified for their third consecutive tournament in 2000. The squad, managed by head coach Iñaki Sáez, reached their second final but were not able to take gold, losing to Cameroon. Spain had a 2–0 lead at half time but things changed in the second half when an own goal from Iván Amaya (who also missed a penalty), and a goal from Samuel Eto'o five minutes later, levelled the scores at 2–2. The score was unchanged after extra time and the match was decided via penalty shootout, with Spain losing 5–3.
2012 Summer Olympics
After eight years without participation, Spain qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics after winning the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship under head coach Luis Milla. They were scheduled to play against Japan, Morocco and Honduras in the group stage. Before the start of the tournament, Spain scheduled three friendly matches against teams that would be competing at the Olympics: The first was a 3–1 victory over Egypt, followed by a 2–0 defeat against Senegal and a 1–0 victory over Mexico five days later. At the Olympics, Spain was eliminated in the group stage after falling shockingly 1–0 to Japan and a controversial loss to Honduras. This was followed by a 0–0 draw to Morocco, forcing Spain's exit from the tournament at the group stage for the first time, and without scoring a single goal. Luis Milla was sacked from both the under-23 and under-21 teams the following day and replaced by Julen Lopetegui.
Competitive Record
UEFA European Under-23 Challenge Cup
This was competed for on a basis similar to a boxing title belt. The holders played a randomly chosen opponent for the championship.
Date | Winners | Runners-up | Venue |
18 June 1969 | ![]() |
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Novi Sad, Yugoslavia |
UEFA European Under-23 Championship Record
Year | Round | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
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1972 | Qualifying Stage | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
1974 | Did Not Enter | ||||||
1976 | |||||||
Total | 0/3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Olympic Games
A gold background color indicates that Spain won the tournament.
Summer Olympic record | ||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Squad | |
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Champions | 1st | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | Squad | |
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Quarter-Finals | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | Squad | |
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Runners-Up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | Squad | |
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Did Not Qualify | |||||||||
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Group Stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Squad | |
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Did Not Qualify | |||||||||
Total | 4/6 | 2 Medals | 19 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 31 | 17 | - |
Spain's World Cup Record | |||||
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First Match | ![]() ![]() (July 24, 1992; Valencia, Spain) | ||||
Biggest Win | ![]() ![]() (July 24, 1992; Valencia, Spain) | ||||
Biggest Defeat | ![]() ![]() (July 27, 1996; Birmingham, United States) | ||||
Best Result | |||||
Worst Result |
*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
- Gold background color indicates first-place finish. Silver background color indicates second-place finish.
- Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.
Players
Top appearances
Rank | Player | Club(s) | Year(s) | U-23 Caps |
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1 | Luis Enrique | Real Madrid | 1991–1992 | 14 |
2 | Mikel Lasa | Real Sociedad, Real Madrid | 1991–1992 | 13 |
3 | Abelardo | Sporting Gijón | 1991–1992 | 12 |
3 | Pep Guardiola | Barcelona | 1991–1992 | 12 |
3 | Kiko | Cádiz | 1991–1992 | 12 |
3 | Roberto Solozábal | Atlético Madrid | 1991–1992 | 12 |
7 | Alfonso | Real Madrid | 1991–1992 | 11 |
7 | Paco Soler | Mallorca | 1991–1992 | 11 |
9 | Joaquín Alonso | Sporting Gijón | 1979–1982 | 8 |
9 | Juan Manuel Asensi | Elche, Barcelona | 1969–1971 | 8 |
9 | Rafael Berges | Córdoba, Tenerife | 1991–1992 | 8 |
9 | Toni | Figueres | 1992 | 8 |
9 | Antonio Pinilla | Barcelona, Mallorca | 1991–1992 | 8 |
Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-23s.
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Club(s) | Year(s) | U-23 Goals |
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1 | Kiko | Cádiz | 1991–1992 | 7 |
2 | Alfonso | Real Madrid | 1991–1992 | 6 |
3 | Abelardo | Sporting Gijón | 1991–1992 | 5 |
4 | Ramón Vázquez | Sevilla | 1987–1988 | 4 |
5 | Gabri | Barcelona | 2000 | 3 |
5 | Luis Enrique | Real Madrid | 1991–1992 | 3 |
5 | Carles Rexach | Barcelona | 1967–1970 | 3 |
5 | José Mari | Milan | 2000 | 3 |
5 | Vavá | Elche | 1967 | 3 |
Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-23s.
Recent results
Date | Competition | Location | Opponent | Result | Scorers |
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Current squad
- Squad selected for the 2012 Summer Olympics.[3][4][5][6]
- National team caps and goals correct as of 1 August 2012.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | ||
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1 | GK | David de Gea | 7 November 1990 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | ||
18 | GK | Diego Mariño | 9 May 1990 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | ||
2 | DF | César Azpilicueta | 28 August 1989 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | ||
3 | DF | Álvaro Domínguez | 15 May 1989 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | ||
5 | DF | Iñigo Martínez | 17 May 1991 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | ||
6 | DF | Jordi Alba | 21 March 1989 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | ||
13 | DF | Alberto Botía | 27 January 1989 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | ||
12 | DF | Martín Montoya | 14 April 1991 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | ||
4 | MF | Javi Martínez* (captain) | 2 September 1988 | 4 | 1 | ![]() | ||
8 | MF | Iker Muniain | 19 December 1992 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | ||
10 | MF | Juan Mata* | 28 April 1988 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | ||
11 | MF | Koke | 8 January 1992 | 6 | 1 | ![]() | ||
14 | MF | Oriol Romeu | 24 September 1991 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | ||
15 | MF | Isco | 21 April 1992 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | ||
17 | MF | Ander Herrera | 14 September 1989 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | ||
7 | FW | Adrián* | 8 January 1988 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | ||
9 | FW | Rodrigo | 6 March 1991 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | ||
16 | FW | Cristian Tello | 11 August 1991 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
Note: Players marked with a * are the three overage players called up as reinforcements
See also
- Spain national football team
- Spain national under-21 football team
- Spain national under-20 football team
- Spain national under-19 football team
- Spain national under-18 football team
- Spain national under-17 football team
- Spain national under-16 football team
- Spain national under-15 football team
- Spain national youth football team
References
- ^ Since 1992, squads for Football at the Summer Olympics have been restricted to three players over the age of 23. The achievements of such teams are not usually included in the statistics of the international team.
- ^ oyit
- ^ Convocatoria oficial para la fase de preparación y los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 2012; RFEF Template:Es icon
- ^ Baja y alta en la Selección Nacional con vistas a los Juegos de Londres; RFEF Template:Es icon
- ^ Intensidad y acierto en la sesión de trabajo de la Selección; RFEF Template:Es icon
- ^ Gratitud en la despedida a los jugadores que no estarán en Londres; RFEF Template:Es icon