A return to a final and a rematch with England, brings back memories of how Spain reached the pinnacle of women’s football.
But regrettably for fans and players, also memories of how the euphoria of the World Cup triumph was tainted by the actions of the man entrusted to run Spanish football.
And how the conviction of Luis Rubiales for sexual assault on the Sydney podium has not brought about the profound societal change hoped for.
“It was like a big shadow and things are getting better, but it’s not enough yet for sure,” said Spain fan Ina Penné. “I think there’s still people who say he didn’t do anything wrong.”
Two years on, star striker Jenni Hermoso – who was subjected to the non-consensual kiss by her federation president in the celebrations – was omitted from the European Championship squad.
It was presented as a performance-based decision, but Spain’s all-time top scorer spoke obliquely on social media about “environments with such bad energy”.
So while “it’s over” was the rallying cry across Spain in 2023, do fans feel the gender inequality exposed shifted attitudes?
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“I feel like in England, when they won the Euros three years ago, there were so many changes,” Penné said.
“And in Spain you still don’t have the money. There were all the issues with the coach and everything. So I think they need to do a lot, still.”
Just look at the number of supporters following the team in Switzerland at the Euros. While the Spanish federation placed a makeshift stage in a Zurich street celebrating the team before their semi-final against Germany, the march to the stadium was sparsely attended.
Contrast that to the thousands following England at their semi-final in Geneva a day earlier. And the Lionesses are European champions rather than world champions.
“We don’t see a lot of change in Spain,” said fan Elodie Cailliez. “There are not many followers of the Spanish team.
“It was supposed to be a moment of change, but Spain won two years ago and we are almost at the same point.”
That is her perception from attending matches and trying to find coverage she hopes for across the Spanish media.
England star Keira Walsh has a keen perspective having been playing at Barcelona until earlier this year. She shared a dressing room with World Cup winners, including Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas.
“I think they probably could have had more (respect),” Walsh said at England’s Zurich base.
“The way our league jumped after we won the Euros and everything in and around it, if you compare it to Spain, it probably wasn’t the same and they won the World Cup. They probably could have had more support.”
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A revolt over the squad environment under Jorge Vilda had already seen some players refuse to play for the coach at that 2023 World Cup.
He was fired in the weeks after the 1-0 victory over England in the fallout from Rubiales’ kiss and attempt to cling to power.
While Vilda was charged in the case alongside Rubiales, he was cleared in court of coercing Hermoso into downplaying the kiss.
And he is back coaching, by coincidence this weekend in another final, leading Morocco at the Women’s African Cup of Nations.
“You can see there that people don’t really care about it,” Penné said. “They just put them to another team and that’s it… it’s insane.”
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Even England players are disappointed Spain’s greatest day in women’s football was sullied by Rubiales.
Walsh said: “After the game there was a lot of controversy and, I don’t think for them, there was enough spotlight on how incredible they played and how incredible some of their players were. It was all about the other stuff that had gone on.
“As a professional, that was disappointing to see. I have a lot of friends in that team and I think they probably deserved a little bit more.
Walsh will be hoping to inspire England to successive European titles.
But how much will Spain reaching another final, would another title finally achieve the respect, the rights and the backing the players, fans and society have been calling for?
It’s not over yet for many following Spanish football.
