Why Spain players don't sing the national anthem before matches
The reason why Spain players don’t sing the national anthem before matches has been revealed.
Spain are one step away from winning Euro 2024 as they prepare to take on England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday night.
La Roja, who lifted the Euro trophy back in 2008 and 2012 have arguably been the best team of the tournament so far having won all their matches.
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Ahead of Spain’s matches, it was spotted by many fans around the globe that their players refrain from singing their national anthem.
This is due to the fact that Spain’s national anthem, La Marcha Real, actually has no lyrics.
The anthem, composed by Manuel de Espinosa de los Monteros in 1771 before it became Spain's trademark track when Queen Isabella II, is one of four in the world lacking lyrics alongside San Marino, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It did previously though, with words added by General Franco in his spell as dictator between 1938 and 1973.
Yet when he was no longer in power, the lyrics were taken out to avoid any type of association to Franco and his dictatorship.
As per Metro, lyrics have been suggested, including the Spanish Olympic Committee trying to add in ‘Viva Espana' - only to see their efforts rebuffed due to the term having links to Franco.
Speaking ahead of the final against England, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said: “It's an even match-up, just as our previous knockout games were. If we are not above the level we displayed in those games, we won't have a chance of winning - and the same if we make mistakes.
“It's fantastic to be here and we are excited to be in the final. It's one of the biggest sporting achievements there is. We are relaxed and looking forward to playing.”
He added: “Sunday will be a complicated game against a great team, between the best two teams, that's why we are in the final.
“These matches, which are so even, are often decided by the finer details. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will have the best chance of winning.”
Marcus Chan