Spain’s footballers, cream of the Euros, reflect a changed nation

FOOTBALL FANS have much to thank Spain for. Over the past month in Germany, its national team has decorated an otherwise largely pedestrian European championship with fast, flowing football and undisguised joy in the game. They go into the final against England in Berlin on July 14th as favourites. Back home in Spain, their success so far has united, at least temporarily, a diverse country whose venomous politics, tribalised media and angry public discourse have contributed recently to a sense of ungovernability. And in a backhanded tribute, England have even begun to show glimpses of Spanish flair on the field.