WHEN SPANISH-based football writer Graham Hunter had the fortune to lead a Uefa TV team into the Spanish dressingroom at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev on Sunday night, he was confronted with an unexpected atmosphere. Rather than indulging in wild celebrations, the Spaniards were by and large playing it cool, with the implication being that this was just another day at the office.

Furthermore, says Hunter, every single Spanish player he spoke to gave him the distinct impression that this particular, marvellous show is not over yet. In other words, it is a case of “Poland-Ukraine, done that, now on to Brazil 2014”.

That may be asking too much of even this talented squad but the idea that there may be further Spanish victories down the road was a concept expressed on Sunday night by Spain’s 62-year-old grandfather figure, coach Vicente del Bosque.

Asked about his team’s utterly convincing performance, he said: “It’s simple, we’re talking about a great generation of players. On top of that, lots of them have had experience outside Spain, big clubs all over Europe come looking for them and that has greatly helped the squad.

“Of course, there are challenges still ahead of us . . . We may have to change things but there is a lot of talent in Spanish football . . . Look at Alba’s goal. He is meant to be a full back but there he was up in attack slotting it home like a brilliant striker thanks, of course, to a great pass from Xavi.”

Del Bosque was gracious and sporting in victory, paying a handsome tribute to his defeated opponents: “Before I start analysing our performance, I would just like to say that the Italians played a great tournament. They had no luck tonight because their game ended with the injury to Thiago Motta. They also did well for a period after our opening goal but we rode that out and that, perhaps, was the key to our success.”

Asked if this Spanish side had changed football forever, Del Bosque played down the hyperbole, suggesting there is “more than one football” and more than one good football team.

Asked if he and his players had saved something for the final, given that it was by far Spain’s best performance of the tournament, Del Bosque was again low key: “In an intense tournament like this, you cannot make that sort of calculation. We started with a very tough game against Italy, it was easier against Ireland but it was also very tough against Croatia. We had a hard semi-final against Portugal, too . . . so you definitely cannot say that we saved something for the last . . . but we played an extraordinary match tonight. We played our own game, we remained faithful to what we have done over the years.”

Losing Italian coach Cesare Prandelli was also gracious, saying: “Spain completely dominated the match and I think we need to congratulate them. Complimenti, we came up against a terrific side but also we were simply not as fresh as when we met them in our opening game. Once Motta went off injured, we had nothing left in the tank.”

The intriguing thing about this Spanish team, however, is the idea that perhaps they still have petrol in the tank. Roll on Brazil 2014.