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Spell of success

Euro 2016: Spain end 53-year June 13 curse with win over Czech Republic in Toulouse

Spaniards had lost four and drawn one of previous clashes on this date... and broke similar curse on way to Euro 2008 victory

Spain broke their 53-year curse when they beat Czech Republic

Spain made history with 1-0 victory over Czech Republic at Euro 2016 — breaking a 53-year curse.

Remarkably, La Rioja had lost four and drawn one on the five occasions they had played on June 13, dating back to 1963.

Spain's defender Gerard Pique celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Spain and Czech Republic at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse on June 13, 2016. Spain won the match 1-0. / AFP PHOTO / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOUPIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images
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Gerard Pique celebrates after his late goal earned victory over Czech RepublicCredit: AFP/Getty Images

It’s an astonishing stat, which could actually prove a good omen for the Spaniards.

On their way to Euro 2008 victory, Spain broke a similar curse with their spot-kick defeat of Italy, on the quarter-finals.

They faced the then-world champions June 22, a date in which they previously lost THREE penalty shoot-outs in major tournaments — with one of them even coming against England.

Cesc Fabregas of Spain celebrates after scoring the winning penalty putting Spain through to the semi finals during the UEFA EURO 2008 quarter final match between Spain and Italy at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Cesc Fabregas celebrates after his winning penalty against Italy at Euro 2008Credit: Getty Images
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 22: Leo Van der Elst of Belgium scores the decisive penalty to open the World Cup semi-finals for his team 22 June 1986 past Spanish goalie Andoni Zubizarreta. (Photo credit should read RODOLFO DEL PERCIO/AFP/Getty Images)
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Belgium eliminate Spain from the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals on penaltyCredit: Getty Images
22 Jun 1996: David Seaman of England saves Angel Nadal of Spain's penalty during the European soccer championship match between England and Spain at Wembley Stadium, London. England won the match after extra timein a penalty shoot-out by 0(4) 0(3). Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill/Allsport UK
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David Seaman saves a spot-kick as England win a penalty shooutout at Euro 96

At the 1986 World Cup, Belgium were their conquerors in the quarter-finals stage.

While Spain even had the indignity to lose a shoot-out against England at the same stage, at Euro 96.

And their 2002 World Cup ended with a spot-kick defeat to hosts South Korea.

GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA - JUNE 22: WM 2002 in JAPAN und KOREA, Gwangju; Match 59/VIERTELFINALE/SPANIEN - KOREA (ESP - KOR) 3:5 n.E.; vorne: JOAQUIN/ESP, hinten: TEAM KOREA bei der Besprechung/Einschwoerung vor der Verlaengerung (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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South Korea eliminated Spain from the 2002 World Cup after a penalty shootoutCredit: Getty Images

However, they broke that curse, and went on to win Euro 2008.

Victory in Austria and Switzerland was their first at a major tournament for 44 years — and it started a period of unprecedented dominance.

Spain will be hoping a maiden June 13 victory will spark a similar revolution, following a relatively rocky period since they won Euro 2012.

1990 World Cup Finals, Udine, Italy, 13th June, 1990, Spain 0 v Uruguay 0, Uruguays's Ruben Paz blasts his penalty kick over the bar as Spanish goalkeeper Andoni Zubizaretta dives (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images)
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Ruben Paz blazes a spot-kick over the bar Spain escape with a 0-0 drawCredit: Getty Images
NANTES, FRANCE - JUNE 13: Nigerian midfield Sunday Oliseh (R) jubilates after he scored the third and winning goal for his team 13 June at the La Beaujoire stadium in Nantes during the 1998 Soccer World Cup Group D match between Spain and Nigeria. Nigeria won 3 to 2. (at L Nigerian midfielder Finidi) (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO FRANK PERRY (Photo credit should read FRANK PERRY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Nigeria's Sundae Oliseh celebrates after his late goal earned a victory over SpainCredit: Getty Images

Their first match on this date was back in 1963, when they humbled 6-2 in Madrid by Scotland.

Spain, whose leading club side Real Madrid had only recently ended their five-year European Cup monopoly, would go on to be crowned champions of Europe just 374 days later.

But they were no match for the heroic Scots who, whose starting line-up included the likes of Billy McNeill, Frank McLintock, Ian St John and Denis Law.

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 13: EM EURO 2000 Rotterdam; SPANIEN - NORWEGEN 0:1 (ESP - NOR 0:1); JUBEL nach dem Tor zum 0:1 von Steffen IVERSEN/NOR (Mitte); Bent SKAMMELSRUD (11), Andre BERDOELMOE (2)/NOR (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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Former Tottenham striker, Steffen Iversen, netted in Euro 2000 win over Spain

In their Italia 90 opener, Spain were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay.

Ruben Sosa sent a second-half spot-kick over the bar for the South Americans.

There was a major shock in France eight years later, as Spain fell to a 3-2 group stage defeat against Nigeria which put their qualification hopes in jeopardy.

La Rioja twice took the lead, only to be pegged back before Sundae Oliseh scored the game’s final goal 13 minutes from time to seal victory for the Super Eagles.

Spain continued to enhance their reputation with an underwhelming display at Euro 2000.

But before Raul’s stoppage-time penalty miss against France condemned them to quarter-final elimination, there was a June 13 clash with Norway to contend with.

Spain opened their campaign in Holland and Belgium against the Scandinavians, and fell victims to a second half winner by former Tottenham striker, Steffen Iversen.

SALVADOR, BRAZIL - JUNE 13: Robin van Persie of the Netherlands scores the team's first goal with a diving header in the first half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Robin van Persie scores his famous diving header against Spain in Brazil
SALVADOR, BRAZIL - JUNE 13: Robin van Persie of the Netherlands celebrates with head coach Louis van Gaal after scoring the team's first goal in the first half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
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Robin van Persie celebrates with Holland boss, Louis van GaalCredit: Getty Images

However, their most humiliating defeat on that fateful June date was reserved for the 2014 World Cup.

Spain came into the tournament as holders and seeking to become only the third nation to retain their crown.

And, in their opener in Brazil, they face Holland — the team they had overcome to win their first-ever World Cup four years earlier.

But, now led by Louis van Gaal, the Dutch were a different outfit.

Despite Xabi Alonso giving the reigning world champions the lead from the spot, Holland hit back to net FIVE times and earn some sort of revenge.

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