The Spanish national side was first formed in 1920, although they had been a member since 1904 and played unofficially since 1913. Although La Roja lifted the UEFA European Championship in 1964, they were often seen as underachievers until they cemented themselves as a global footballing power in the late 2000s. Thanks to their adoption of the "Tiki-taka" philosophy of possession-based football characterised by short, quick passing and fluid movement, Spain romped to unprecedented success by winning 3 international tournaments in a row between 2008 and 2012, lifting the UEFA European Championships either side of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
