IT was a football team which brought Spain together;it was a team which led to Spaniards across the country hanging their national flag with pride from their balconies and it was a team which helped Spaniards forget their economic hardships for a while. It could be said that the Spanish national football team helped the country get through the savage recession. But all good things come to an end and the once mighty “La Roja” were well beaten in the World Cup in Brazil on Wednesday night. The timing was unfortunate. The next day a new king was being sworn on to the throne and a clear Spanish victory would have meant a double celebration. But the script was not made in Hollywood and the new king will welcome the team at home rather than in Brazil. But Spain owes La Roja a great deal. Two European Championships and a World Cup is not bad for a country who were once known as the big under achievers of World football. The biggest mistake from Spain manager, Vicente del Bosque, was his loyalty. He stayed loyal to the players who had won the World Cup four years ago and paid the penalty. The Spanish team was certainly an ageing one and perhaps Del Bosque should have been more ruthless. So Spain´s soccer reign is over but a new king is about to start his reign on the throne. If he is as half as successful as the Spanish national team then his reign can be judged to be a success. Thank you La Roja for making Spain proud.