FC Barcelona News: 19 June 2013; Thiago Scores Hat-Trick in U-21 Final, Carles Puyol To Have Knee Surgery

Thiago leads Spain to the U21 Euro title (2-4) | FC Barcelona
Spain, who defeated Italy this afternoon in a final decided by Thiago Alcántara – who scored a hat trick in the first half – reclaimed the title they won in 2011. The Blaugrana player led his team-mates to victory over a vastly outclassed Italy. Montoya, Tello, Bartra, Thiago, and Muniesa will return from Israel as U21 Euro champions.

Barca captain Carles Puyol undergoes surgery in new injury setback - ESPN FC
"Carles Puyol will undergo ambulatory surgery on Wednesday morning to remove a Baker's cyst in his right knee," the statement said. "The surgery will take place at the Unitat del Genoll [knee-unit] of the Institut Catala of Traumatology and Medicine of Sport. The player is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks."

Pique eager for Thiago stay - ESPN FC
Speaking to radio programme Al Primer Toque on Onda Cero, Pique said of his compatriot: "There is a possibility that he could leave but we have to convince him that the best place for him is Barcelona. "Players in his position like Xavi were patient and they ended up defining an era. When you watch them and see how superior they have been in this tournament you realise that the future is very positive."

Pedro three goals from new record | FC Barcelona
Pedro Rodríguez has goals in his blood. He has scored eleven times for Spain in the last year and is just three short of beating the record of 13 set by David Villa in 2009. With two to four Confederations Cup matches still to play, depending on whether Spain progress to the semis-finals, he has every chance of topping his Barça strike partner.

Vilanova, Roura and Altimira look back at the league of 100 points | FC Barcelona
Tito Vilanova, Jordi Roura and Aureli Altimira are frank and down-to-earth people who have known each other since they were teenagers. They have spent countless hours together since first meeting at La Masia and playing youth football at Barça, but had to go elsewhere to continue doing what they loved the most - playing football.

Fiorentina sign Levante goalkeeper Munua - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
The Uruguay international was an ever-present in the Granotes starting XI last term, conceding 47 goals in 29 games. But with his contract set to expire on June 30 at the Ciutat de Valencia, the Viola have decided to act quickly and snap him up on a deal until 2015.