The talent was arguably always there for Spain to lift a major trophy but certain key differences meant Luis Aragonรฉs's shimmering squad took the EURO by storm.
Spain's UEFA EURO 2008โข winners received a heroes' welcome from tens of thousands of supporters as they brought the Henri Delaunay cup back home to Madrid.
Spain midfielder Xavi Hernรกndez has been named as the Castrol Player of the Tournament for UEFA EURO 2008โข after his stirring displays in the Alpine nations.
The UEFA Technical Team has named its UEFA EURO 2008โข Team of the Tournament, with no fewer than nine Spanish players being selected for the final 23.
euro2008.com casts its mind back over the past month: from Arshavin to Zidane via kidney transplants, great Turkish comebacks and naked walks in the park.