One year after their remarkable triumph at the 2023 Women's World Cup, it is easy to consider Spain as the frontrunners for the gold medal in women's football at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Having established themselves as the premier team in the world, the prospect of dominating the Olympic podium, even though it will be their first appearance in the Games, seemed almost inevitable.

However, the reality of competitive sports is that even teams celebrated for their excellence have room for growth and development. The Spanish squad experienced a setback when they were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Olympic tournament. Following that disappointing defeat, they faced Germany in the bronze-medal match, where they suffered a narrow 1–0 loss, abruptly ending their pursuit of additional accolades.

Montserrat Tomé, the head coach of the team, expressed the emotional toll of the experience after the match, stating, “We compete to win and it hurts when that doesn’t happen, but that’s sport. Some you win and others you lose – now we have to react.” This philosophy of resilience and determination is critical in the world of sports.

Indeed, the Spanish team took Tomé’s words to heart. In the wake of their Olympic disappointment, they have shown an impressive turnaround in performance. Over the 14 matches played since their loss to Germany, they have only faced defeat once, which was against England. Their record includes two draws and an impressive 11 victories, showcasing their resilience and skill as they strive for greatness.

Their current form is so compelling that star player Olga Carmona has expressed her belief that the outcome of the Olympic Games would differ significantly if they were held this summer. “I think if Spain had to play the Olympic Games this summer, we would do much better,” she remarked, reflecting the team's confidence and preparedness for future competitions.

However, the team will have to wait until the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics to potentially demonstrate this newfound strength in a competitive environment. For now, their sights are set on a more immediate goal: capturing the title of European champions for the first time in their history.