Paris 2024 Olympic Games: How Spain have transformed into women's football gold medal favourites
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Updated 01/03/2024 at 10:36 GMT
Spain have been transformed into Olympic gold medal favourites for the women’s football tournament at Paris 2024 after winning the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League this week. We look at why La Rojas are now such heavy favourites, whether an Emma Hayes-led United States will even be contenders, and which teams could end Spain’s recent dominance.
Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Medals revealed for those who triumph in Paris
Midfield maestro Aitana Bonmati helped Spain win the inaugural UEFA Women's Nations League this week, scoring the first goal and contributing to the second in a dominant 2-0 victory over France.
The reigning world champions had finished ahead of Italy, Sweden and Switzerland in their group, before comfortably beating the Netherlands 3-0 in the semi-finals.
The result not only booked Spain a place in the Women’s Nations League final, but also meant the team qualified for the Olympic women’s football tournament for the first time ever.
Spain’s commanding performance against France in the final confirmed their status as the favourites to win gold in Paris this summer, despite their relative inexperience at the Games.
The Olympic women’s football tournament is always fiercely contested, however, particularly because the 12 participating teams are required to go through an unforgiving qualifying process to even get to the Games.
European champions England fell short, meaning Team GB will not compete, while the Netherlands and Sweden will also be absent.
But Spain will still have to overcome heavyweights such as four-time winners United States, defending champions Canada, and Rio 2016 gold medallists Germany.
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A general view as players of Spain celebrate as Irene Paredes of Spain lifts UEFA Women's Nations League trophy after her team's victory during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 Final match between Spain and France at Estadio La Cartuja on February 28,
Image credit: Getty Images
Why are Spain favourites for the Olympic women’s football tournament?
There had been serious concern for Spain when two-time Ballon d'Or Féminin winner Alexia Putellas suffered an ACL injury on the eve of Euro 2022.
But while her presence from the squad was missed, and almost certainly contributed to Spain’s quarter-final exit from the tournament, Bonmati soon stepped up to take Putellas’s place as the best player in the world.
This is indicative of the wealth of talent from which Spain manager Montse Tome can select her team, with Jenni Hermoso, Olga Carmona, Ona Batlle, Salma Paralluelo and Mariona Caldentey also among the star-studded squad.
Spain have made their depth in talent count over the past nine months, winning both the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the inaugural Women’s Nations League with their tika-taka passing style of play.
Unsurprisingly, they had the highest average possession at both tournaments, and aided by some of the best attacking talent on the planet, scored the most goals.
On their day, Spain are unstoppable, and it’s easy to understand why they have been touted as favourites for the Olympic gold medal in Paris.
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FC Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Women's Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30, 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
Can the United States ever be underestimated?
The US have long been the dominant force in international women’s football, but they suffered a dramatic fall from grace at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
They could only finish second in their group after draws against the Netherlands and Portugal, before enduring their earliest elimination at a major tournament with a round-of-16 loss against Sweden.
Emma Hayes, the most successful manager in Women’s Super League history, is set to leave Chelsea at the end of the season to be parachuted in to take charge of the US ahead of the Olympics.
But even with a heavily-talented squad, Hayes likely won’t have enough time to turn the US into serious contenders for the gold medal. Their 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the Women’s Gold Cup this week showed just how much work there is to be done.
In reality, Spain’s biggest threat could be Japan, who thrashed La Roja 4-0 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup group stage. They worked out how to capitalise on Spain’s weaknesses, and they could well do the same again this summer.
France will also be desperate to please a home crowd during the Games, while Australia are still buoyant from hosting a well-organised Women’s World Cup last year. Either of these teams could spring a surprise on Spain.
What could go wrong for Spain?
In truth, the greatest obstacle to Spain’s success this summer could be the behind-the-scenes turmoil which has been ongoing since Euro 2022.
In September 2022, 15 Spanish players made themselves unavailable for selection for the national team, citing concerns about Jorge Vilda’s management style and other issues.
Bonmati and Battle were among the boycotting group, while the injured Putellas voiced her support for Las 15.
A number of the players returned to the squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but the issue raised its head again when Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after the final. The striker later said the incident was non-consensual.
Rubiales has since been banned from all football-related activities by FIFA until late 2026, while Vilda was sacked shortly after the World Cup final. But a couple of Spain’s star players – Mapi Leon and Patricia Guijarro – still refuse to play for the national team.
The situation has otherwise reached an uneasy detente, with the team’s recent achievements all the more impressive given the wider context. Any further turbulence could derail Spain’s Olympic dreams.
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The Olympic Games will return with Paris 2024, live on Eurosport and discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
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