Euro 2012: Spain seal their place in history with Italy's destruction | Sid Lowe | The Guardian
For Spain there was symmetry and symbolism in success – and style too. The cycle was completed against Italy, the same team against whom it had all begun. Once the team that never won, they have become the team that never lose – European, world and European champions, two consecutive qualifying campaigns with perfect records, 10 wins out of 10, and 10 successive knockout games across two Euros and a World Cup without conceding a goal, stretching back six long years.
Spain 4-0 Italy: Spain win Euro 2012 | Zonal Marking
Both teams were as expected. Vicente del Bosque made a single change – Cesc Fabregas returned upfront in place of Alvaro Negredo. Cesare Prandelli also made one change, bringing back Ignazio Abate at right-back, with Federico Balzaretti dropping to the bench. Spain were the better side by a considerable distance. They didn’t settle for mere dominance of possession, and instead attacked with speed and determination to produce a wonderful display of football.
Second Euro win for Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc Fàbregas | FC Barcelona
Spain made footballing history with their win over Italy tonight, chalking up their third tournament win in succession, following success in the Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland and 2010’s World Cup win in South Africa. For three Barça players – Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc – the win represents their second European Championship title.
Barça stars inspire historic Spain win (4-0) | FC Barcelona
This was a superlative Spanish show, based on a man of the match performance from Xavi, superb skills from Iniesta and Cesc, solid defending from Piqué and a typically robust performance by Busquets in the middle, together with a superb final from Jordi Alba, as the group of Barça players combined with Casillas, Ramos, Arbeola, Xabi Alonso, Silva and Torres for an epoch making exhibition of controlled football.
Cruyff: 'Spain style stems from Barcelona' - Goal.com
He told Marca: "Before it wasn't really known how Spain would play, but with the emergence of Xavi and other players like him, they have acquired their own style. "This stems from the concept and philosophy of Barcelona, with the idea of having the ball constantly."
Are Spain the greatest international team of all time? - Goal.com
"The best international team of all time." That is how BBC television pundit and former England striker Alan Shearer - top scorer at the European Championship 16 years ago - described Spain just minutes after they made history on Sunday night by thrashing Italy 4-0 in Kiev to become Euro 2012 champions.
Spain become eternal with historic triple crown ... & they're not finished yet - Goal.com
No team in the history of international football had ever won three titles in succession. Not Brazil, not Germany, nor Italy - nobody. Now Spain have. Their rise has been as meteoric as it has been improbable. Put it to a Spain supporter five years ago that they could claim just one of those prizes and their reply would have been optimistic at best.
Alba cannot wait for his Barca bow after shining for Spain at Euro 2012 - Goal.com
The left-back shone during the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, netting a superb goal in Spain’s emphatic 4-0 win over Italy in the final, and believes he has moved to the best side in the world following his recent switch from Valencia.
Real Madrid send Pedro Leon out on loan to Getafe for another season - report - Goal.com
The 25-year-old joined Madrid from Los Azulones after an impressive 2009-10 campaign, but has never nailed down a place in Jose Mourinho's plans. He fell out favour with the Blancos coach after a disappointing first season at the Santiago Bernabeu, and was consequently loaned back to Getafe for 2011-12.
Fenerbahce swoop for Valencia's Mehmet Topal - ESPN Soccernet
Turkey midfielder Mehmet Topal has returned to his homeland after swapping Valencia for Fenerbahce. Topal, 26, moved to the Mestalla in 2010 from Galatasaray, but will now play for his former club's fierce rivals after they agreed a fee of €4.5 million with Valencia.