Hugo Guillamón is one of Spain’s brightest young stars at international level, and has been part of a group that have achieved great success. After a call-up for the Under-21s, he looked back on his national team career to date with VCF Media.

Despite requiring a comeback against Turkey, ‘La Rojita’ were able to top Group A, eliminated France in the quarter finals, Germany in the semifinals and England in the final on penalties.

“The Under-17s European Championships was the first big tournament that we enjoyed. We won the competition,” explains Guillamón.

“We were all just kids, and it was very special for all of us. It was our first tournament for Spain, and winning it was great.”

The next challenge for the Spanish youngsters was the World Cup at Under-17s level. They would finish runners-up in India, losing in the final to England in front of 60,000 fans.

“It was an incredible tournament. We were out in India, and it was one of those experiences that will stay with me for my entire life. We were also lucky enough to have a very good group, who were like a family on and off the pitch. Spending so much time with them there, enjoying those moments together, is something that I will always remember,” recalls Guillamón.

“I didn't play as much with the Under-18s, as there weren't so many games or squads selected. It did coincide with the Juegos Mediterraneos in Tarragona, however,” says the defender.

“We were there with all of the Spain team, from many different sports. There were also other countries there. I remember that we had the Portaventura theme park next to us, and one day we snuck out to go there.”

With the Under-19s Guillamón would become European Champion again, although the team would struggle before mounting comebacks against Holland and Italy.

“Against Italy we were about to be knocked out. It was the final group stage game, and we needed a draw. We were losing at half time, and in the dressing room during the break we showed that we wanted to do something big. We couldn't exit the Euros like that, with that bitter taste in our mouths. In the end we turned the scoreline around, and got through to the semi-finals.

“The group was very united. We knew that, if we were eliminated, it would maybe be the last game for us all together, because the Under-21s is a different level and much more difficult to get picked for. We were convinced that we didn't deserve to go out like that. We wanted to be in the final and fight for our medals.”

Now Guillamón has moved into the next stage of his international development. Inclusion in the Under-21s squad represents a big opportunity.

“The Under-21s is another step. It's hard to get that far: It's professional football, not just a youth level anymore. I'm very happy to have been selected for the squad, and I hope that it's the first of many,” he says.

“I've been fortunate enough to have been able to enjoy many games with the national team. I think that we were a very good group. I hope that everything goes just as well with the Under-21s.”