BARCELONA, Spain — If the women’s soccer players of Spain have gone from nobodies to title contenders in less than a decade, it hasn’t come easy. The national team has had to fight for better coaching, decent travel conditions, and modern training facilities.

Spain was the only NATO ally not to commit to a large increase in military expenditures. It’s far from Russia, and its embrace of a social safety net is another key reason.

Germany takes on Spain on Wednesday to determine the final spot in the Women's Euro final, with the winner facing England for the title on Sunday.

Aitana Bonmati is hoping to add another piece of silverware to her bulging trophy cabinet when Spain play their first Women's Euro final, taking on holders England in Basel on Sunday. The 27-year-old playmaker has won six league titles and three Champions League crowns with Barcelona and taken home the Ballon d-Or Feminin in 2023 and 2024,

The midfielder was in hospital less than a week before the tournament began but she is back to her best when it matters most

Despite all their success, Spain have never won the Euros, and their 2023 World Cup win was overshadowed by controversy. On Sunday, they hope that the focus will be firmly on them.

The culture within the Spanish camp also appears to have changed drastically from the World Cup in 2023, when they arrived in New Zealand with a divided squad amid a backdrop of unrest around then head coach Vilda.

Spain’s wiretap contract runs against Brussels’ message that EU countries should impose restrictions on “high-risk suppliers” such as Huawei, as well as its Chinese rival ZTE, and stop them from installing new equipment.