Spain win Euro Championship – again

Spain's last visit to Sweden was in 2009 when they infamously lost a World Cup decider to a last minute try, 11-6.

History was never going to repeat itself this year.

In theory Spain needed one bonus point to confirm another European title. Rugby Europe award a try bonus for the team that is three tries ahead of the opposition , and they achieved that after 18 minutes with tries from Clara Piquero (1st minute), Valentina Pérez (9') and Nadina Cisa (18').

Alba Capell's try (34') extended the lead and at halftime Spain were 26-0 ahead with almost all play having been in the Swedish half.

Despite now playing into the wind, Clara Piquero scored a fifth try in the 47th minute, after Spain being constantly on the attack from the restart.  Spain took the scrum option from a penalty in front of the posts, and quickly moved the ball wide for Piquero to score in the corner.

Just before the hour Spain brought on a number of young debutants but that did little to slow them and on the hour Laura Delgado scored Spain's sixth try.

Piquero scored her hat-trick in the 73rd minute after a long period of Swedish pressure - their best period of the game. But it went unrewarded, and when Spain returned the the Swedish end full-back Pena was on hand to put Piquero in.

With two minutes to go an eighth try came from a simple catch a drive, Christina Blanco being credited with the score before Piquero scored her fourth try to end the game, again set up by a great run from Pena.