Triumphant Spain Do It Their Way - Europa Champions League 2012 Final

From 'false' No9s to an outrageous penalty and an extraordinary defence, Spain's history-makers enjoyed another memorable tournament at UEFA EURO 2012. Graham Hunter looks back.

Spain completed a memorable tournament and made history when they lifted the Henri Delaunay Cup again on Sunday. Some great national sides have tilted at this achievement, and failed. Not only is this the first retention of a UEFA European Championship, it is the first three-in-a-row combination of world and continental titles. Not the West Germany or Brazil sides of the 1970s, nor the France of Zinédine Zidane – no group of players have endured like those who started winning under Luis Aragonés four years ago and have now sealed their status as all-time greats.

In a nutshell
Put simply, Spain found solutions. If you are robbed of David Villa, the most prolific striker in Spain's history, then goals have to become a problem. While the debate fizzed about a 'false' No9 versus an old-fashioned centre-forward, Vicente del Bosque, Cesc Fàbregas and Fernando Torres just got on with it. Italy were pegged back by the former Arsenal FC captain, Torres burst into life against the Republic of Ireland, and Fàbregas was pivotal against Croatia.

A rare Xabi Alonso double dealt with France but Fàbregas popped up with the winning penalty in the semi-final against Portugal before Torres's late cameo in the final earned him the adidas Golden Boot.

High point
Surely the Sergio Ramos-Iker Casillas double act against Portugal. One-nil down after Alonso's spot kick was saved, the man known as San Iker (Saint Iker) in his homeland saved one before Ramos chipped Rui Patrício in the most outrageous style imaginable. It was tide-turning, admirable and daring – hats off to Ramos.

Key man
What a hugely difficult task, but the winner has to be Del Bosque. He chose the double pivot style and stuck to it. He found solutions for the absence of David Villa and the slow return to form of Torres. Through all the difficulties he made substitutions which produced goals, he maintained a sense of humour and elegance and he deserves his place in the coaching pantheon.

Hope for the future
Jordi Alba, a novice on arrival, was superb and crowned off a wonderful tournament with a stunning goal in the final. What is more, there were very limited opportunities for reigning European Under-21 champions Juan Mata and Javi Martínez, though the Chelsea FC man came on and scored against Italy. Several of Luis Milla's U21 winners are knocking at the door of the senior squad but none of the elder statesmen seem particularly disposed to move on. The future looks bright.

Vital statistic
Since elimination from the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Spain have played ten tournament knockout matches without conceding a single goal.

Final word
I think it's very difficult to be champions once, twice is a lot more difficult, and three times is brilliant. I think that these guys have made an extraordinary effort and they have to be congratulated." Del Bosque sums up the achievement of his players.

Triumphant Spain Do It Their Way - Europa Champions League 2012 Final

Italy Loose the Final of UEFA Euro Cup 2012

Fatigue and injuries took their toll on Italy in their final loss to Spain but Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Daniele De Rossi were proud in defeat.

Italy's defence had impressed in previous knockout ties against England and Germany but tiredness and muscle strains – Giorgio Chiellini went off in the first half and Thiago Motta in the second shortly after coming on to leave the Azzurri with ten men – told as Spain ran out 4-0 winners. Though beaten, Italy's players were unbowed as they reflected on their run and hopes for the future.

Gianluigi Buffon, Italy captain
It's ended badly because we faced a great team who deserved to win. Sometimes in life you need to be able to accept defeat and compliment opponents who were better. They have a lot of players who are accustomed to playing certain types of games, important games like the final of a European Championship. I think at the start we paid for this because we were not the same Italy as we have been. We have nothing to complain about. Spain were the better team and we congratulate them.

Daniele De Rossi, Italy midfielder
I think Spain are better than everybody: in ten games against them you will lose seven or eight. If you win or draw it means everything went for your side. In Gdansk [drawing 1-1 in the group stage] I think we could have beaten them and nobody could have said we did not deserve it. Tonight we did not manage to cause them any problems them.

We were up against a very strong side and were not 100%; we were very tired. Ahead of the game we were sure we could beat them but we never hurt them. Then the game was over after 60 minutes: you cannot give anything to a team like Spain, facing them a man down is really too much to ask. We could have avoided the last two goals but it would not have changed much.

Giorgio Chiellini, Italy defender
We're sorry because we hoped to win and end the tournament in another way. We were tired, very tired, and the injuries show that. Some of our players on the pitch could hardly walk. In the end we have to congratulate Spain. They deserved to win and tonight they proved to be better than us.

When Thiago Motta got injured we were down to ten men but they'd almost closed the game out in the first 60 minutes with their ball possession. Then in the last half-hour they exploded, thanks in part to having more players. Everyone's sad about the loss, but it can't erase a tournament in which we played well and we dreamt with millions of Italians. In my opinion that has to be the starting point for our future.

Leonardo Bonucci, Italy defender
It's hard, because we believed we could do it. If we had succeeded in bringing onto the pitch what has been our trademark here – our desire to pass the ball around and create openings – for sure we would have been here talking about another kind of result. But they deserved to win and we give them credit. Once again Spain have shown that they are one or two steps above anyone else.

I think that today in general we were unlucky in everything: from the goals we conceded to the players we lost to injury. It was just a negative night. We'll take away the experience we've gained in this tournament, which has been positive, because we had the desire to play football. From here we need to start again.

Italy Loose the Final of UEFA Euro Cup 2012

Spain Stars Target yet More Success - UEFA Final Review

Jordi Alba was delighted to join in on Spain's unprecedented series of titles, while Cesc Fàbregas and Álvaro Arbeloa want yet more glory following La Roja's UEFA EURO 2012 final win.

Spain successfully defended their UEFA European Championship crown, but it was a first senior international title for final goalscorer Jordi Alba and the left-back said the achievement was only just "sinking in". La Roja may have now won the last three major tournaments, but Alba's fellow defender Álvaro Arbeloa is looking forward to continued success following the 4-0 win against Italy that secured the Henri Delaunay Cup for the third time.

Jordi Alba, Spain defender
It's my first EURO. They had made history before, and now I am also going to make history with them. I'm very happy. I still can't believe it. But little by little it's sinking in. We will now celebrate with the squad. It has been a very good EURO. And regarding scoring a goal: the people in [my hometown] L'Hospitalet, family and friends told me that I was going to score and, eventually, I did.

Talking about my move to Barcelona, I am very happy. [€14m] is an agreement between two clubs, between Valencia and Barcelona, and that's what [the amount] is. And honestly, everything has been going well, and I am very happy about everything that is happening to me. [Now I'm thinking] about the people from L'Hospitalet, who have supported me very much; my family, my friends, my grandparents – all the people who always support me.

Álvaro Arbeloa, Spain defender
It makes me feel proud. We've achieved something that nobody has achieved before, and that shows how difficult it is, right? We were lucky in scoring with our first chance, and we then felt very good after opening the scoring. We played a wonderful match against a team that have played a very good tournament, and deserved to be in the final. 

I'm very happy about the course of the tournament, really a tournament to enjoy. We did a really good job, all 23 players, and we are more than happy. I dedicate it above all to my family, who have always supported me, because without them I wouldn't be here. And [I think] about all the people who have always supported me.

We want to continue winning. We know it's getting more and more difficult, but we don't want to stop.

Cesc Fàbregas, Spain midfielder
I am very happy. The truth is that everything started very well when we won EURO 2008. At that time we didn't think we would win before the tournament. now it's turned out that we have won three tournaments in a row. It is incredible. I am speechless. I don't have words to express what we feel. I hope it continues, as we are a young squad.

The mental side, and the confidence, have changed. The group has also changed. We are a very hard-working team, very humble and disciplined. There are never any problems, people are very responsible and no one is ever late. The truth is that it's the small things that make us a fantastic group.

I worked hard to support the team during a long tournament. Also, I thank the team for the trust they placed in me. They know that I did not play as a forward when I was young, but they believed in me, and I am very proud that I could help this team in the last three tournaments.

I dedicate it to all the people that have passed away recently, as you may read on my shirt, to Miki [Roqué], Manolo [Preciado], [Daniel] Jarque and [Antonio] Puerta. It is a very special day for them as well, for their families and friends. I hope they had a great time, we thought of them a lot and I am sure that those who are above are very happy for us.

Spain Stars Target yet More Success - UEFA Final Review

Sadness on the Faces - Italia Loose UEFA Final

Italy cast aside their reputation for defensive football for a game rich in creativity, guile and excitement at UEFA EURO 2012, winning friends along the way if ultimately not the final.

They say that no one remembers the losing finalists but the football played by Cesare Prandelli's progressive side at UEFA EURO 2012 will live long in the memory as Italy cast aside their reputation for defensive football for a game rich in creativity, guile and excitement.

In a nutshell
Prandelli's charges came through a baptism of fire in their opening match against Spain but that 1-1 draw against the world and European champions was the platform upon which the remainder of their campaign was built. Inspired by their outstanding architect-in-chief Andrea Pirlo, the Azzurri improved game by game, entertaining the neutral in the process with their expansive brand of attractive football. Italy created chances galore, but for all their wonderful approach play Croatia, the Republic of Ireland, England and Germany were never put completely out of sight. The four-time world champions eventually met their match in Spain.

High point
Although the draw with Spain and the penalty shoot-out victory against England were both successful tests of character, the superlative semi-final success against Germany was the high point. Joachim Löw's side had been lauded for their attacking prowess and installed as favorites, yet after weathering the early storm it was Italy who emerged triumphant. The peerless Pirlo again pulled the strings in midfield, the 'blocco Juve' defended the Azzurri goal defiantly and Mario Balotelli came good with two exceptional strikes. The only blot on the copybook was Federico Balzaretti's handball that gave Germany a last-minute lifeline from the penalty spot but the late tension only served to make this team's victory taste all the sweeter.

Key man
Pirlo was Italy's creative force at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and his influence remains as strong as ever. Throughout the tournament he pulled the strings from midfield with his extensive range of passing, a trademark free-kick against Croatia and his 'Panenka' penalty in the shoot-out against England. He won three Carlsberg Man of the Match awards and, as Cesare Prandelli said: "He is one of the best midfielders in the world. Others may get forward and score more but the consistency he shows over 90 minutes is extraordinary."

Hope for the future
Headlines followed Balotelli in the Italian, English and Polish newspapers before and throughout UEFA EURO 2012 and they will doubtless do so long after he has left. Goalless in his opening two matches, the 21-year-old responded to being dropped for the final group match with a goal that sealed victory against the Republic of Ireland. Although he missed several chances in the quarter-final against England, his two unstoppable goals did for Germany and SuperMario's pace, power and unpredictability will make him a mainstay of the national team for years to come.

Vital statistic
15 – the number of competitive matches unbeaten under Prandelli, until the UEFA EURO 2012 final. For all the talk of their attacking verve, the Azzurri are a very hard side to beat. It took Spain two attempts to lower their colours.

Final word
"As long as we play football we are a good side. So long as we try to take supremacy in midfield we are a good side, but if we try to protect a result we become a side with a thousand fears. I have to compliment my team because they really played an excellent tournament."
Coach Prandelli sings the praises of his Azzurri squad.

Sadness on the Faces - Italia Loose UEFA Final