The coach of Spain’s national football team, Vicente del Bosque, has led the team to the semi-final in the European championship. The challenge now is to help Spain make football history. And it is only two games away. 

If Spain wins the semi-final against Portugal on Wednesday and the European final on Sunday, it will be the first team ever to have won three international titles in a row: the European championship in 2008, the World championship in 2010, and now, possibly, it could be European champion once more.

El Confidencial met with Del Bosque for an exclusive interview before he left for Donetks and semi-final.

Question: Do you sleep alright, are you calm?

Answer: I do, actually. We all want more and the responsibility that we have is to arrive to the last game. We have spent over 30 days together and now we want to make it right all the way to the end.

Q: Do you think Spain, which is always very demanding when it comes to football, is satisfied yet?

A: I don’t think so. I say this honestly because everyone wants to win against Portugal, but they are aware of the difficulties and that the two teams are very balanced, on the same level.

Q: I meant regarding the talk about the continuity of your contract as coach… (There were speculations about the continuity of the contract depending on the outcome in Poland and Ukraine.)

A: We have done a normal job. We are two steps away and in the Spanish football federation they are satisfied, and so are the supporters. We receive a lot of affection and sympathy never seen before. I never thought people would be this kind.

Q: For how long will Del Bosque continue as coach? Do you see an end?

A: If we arrive all the way to Brazil, that will be the moment. I don’t see myself as a coach at an old age. I don’t intend to. It will be the time to give room for other people.

Q: Why is there so much debate around every decision?

A: There is a reality that we cannot neglect or avoid, that Real Madrid and Barcelona are there. On the inside, it is completely accepted, and the relations are fine. They are not idyllic, but more than fine. On the outside, some try to associate the football of the national team with that of either Barcelona or Madrid and they don’t realize that this is the Spanish team. Some even look for conflict between the teams where there isn’t any. They don’t realize that it is not like that. There is no conflict between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Q: Do you think the team can give more in this championship?

A: Yes, no doubt about it. The important thing is not to lose a sense of modesty, that they continue being good guys and if they continue like that, everything can get better.

Q: Portugal, Italy, Germany, Spain... Are these the best teams?

A:  Absolutely. They are the teams that have played best. Italy played very well against England. Germany is showing confidence, with an excellent Özil, and the Portuguese are aggressive and strong. The have two aggressive midfielders, two experienced players on the wings, Nani and Ronaldo are two great players.

Q: Is it possible to win and get to another final?

A: Of course. We have to believe in what we do and in our way of playing. That’s all.

Q: And Spain more than ever needs some happiness.

A: We are only football players. We are in a difficult situation and in no way are we going to be able to avoid the unemployment of people in Spain. The sports can show that it is a modern country, an advanced country. We don’t need to envy anyone and this is something that should be taken as an advantage for anyone who could use it to be an example for young people.

A longer version of this interview is available in Spanish here.