Arbeloa: Spain must never change
Spain full-back Alvaro Arbeloa believes the national team must never abandon their footballing philosophy.
La Roja were accused of being 'boring' during Euro 2012 after their possession-orientated style of play failed to yield the same explosive results from past tournaments.
However, all that commotion came before Spain crushed Italy 4-0 in the final to make history as the first team to win three consecutive major titles (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012).
"We are accustomed to the criticism," Arbeloa told AS.
"It happened to us in the World Cup after losing to Switzerland [in their opening game].
"But we have always had great confidence in our style and that is what has led us to victory [in Poland and Ukraine].
"We have our style and it has been criticised. There are many ways to play good football, but the important thing is that the national team has an identity; a style that has taken years to hone, but that is the formula that has brought us this success.
"I hope when things are not going so well, we will remember this and continue with this style."
Arbeloa is closing in on 50 caps for Spain.
European Championship Winners
1960 - USSR
1964 - Spain
1968 - Italy
1972 - West Germany
1976 - Czechoslovakia
1980 - West Germany
1984 - France
1988 - Holland
1992 - Denmark
1996 - Germany
2000 - France
2004 - Greece
2008 - Spain
2012 - Spain