Celebrating the fact that the Spain national team and José Luis Gayà are playing in Euro 2020, Miguel Tendillo spoke to VCF MEDIA about his own first appearance in the European Championships. The Valencia CF ambassador and club legend made his debut at Euro 1980 and has fond memories of the competition.

Memories of Euro 1980

We had won the European Cup Winners Cup, and then I went directly to the national team. We went to Italy to play the European Championships. We played the first game against Italy, who were the hosts, and we drew 0-0. I remember it well, because I was only 19 years old and was facing Dino Zoff in goal, who was 38. Saura came with me from Valencia CF, and there were players like Juanito, Migueli, Asensi, Dani from Athletic... Players whose stickers I had collected just four or five years earlier.

The importance of the first game

In the first match against Italy we played very well. In the second game we lost 2-1 against Belgium. And in the third we lost against England. The first game is very important in the group stage, because if you win it you know that with one more point you can qualify for the knockout stages.

Big games for Spain

For any player, the big games are the European Championships and World Cups. I made my debut at a very young age in both kinds of tournaments. They are games which leave you with pleasant memories, because everyone watches international football.

Advice to Gayà for the European Championships

Gayà is a player who always delivers, because he gives everything he has. He is a very honest player and he gives his all. You don't need to tell him anything. He will be very motivated for the tournament.

Proud of Gayà

He is a somebody of whom we should be proud. The responsibility is enormous because you represent the whole of Valencia. He is an established player who is sure to give us joy. For a homegrown player, raised in the academy, to earn a spot in the Valencia CF first team is the dream of any Valencian child. If on top of that you add the possibility of representing Valencia CF in the national team, then that's as good as it can get for a player.