Your are here  » Home   » Football

Xavi urges Spain to make history

Updated Sunday, July 1st 2012 at 00:00 GMT +3

Xavi says Spain have a "great opportunity to make history" as the reigning European and world champions aim for a third tournament triumph.

The Barcelona midfielder is desperate to write his name into the history books, but knows Spain face a difficult task against Italy in Kiev.

"We have achieved great things with the national team," said Xavi.

"We're in a great generation of players and we have a great opportunity to make history. This is our chance."

Having defeated Germany four years ago, Spain, who overcame the Netherlands to win the World Cup in 2010, will become the first team to retain the European Championship if they beat Italy on Sunday.

Even more important, victory over the Azzurri would make them the first country to win three major international tournaments in a row - and Xavi says Spain are determined to show they are still the team to beat.

"We really want to do well and show people that this team is still hungry to win and that our football is good," he added.

Xavi admitted he was a fan of the approach introduced by coach Italy coach Cesare Prandelli and singled out the Azzurri's Andrea Pirlo for praise.
"A few years ago, football was showing tendencies of becoming more physical and the games more condensed," he said.

"We were very lucky that, although ( Spain's) footballers were slightly weaker physically, they were more talented technically.

"That's what we want to do against Italy - play a spectacular game.

"Players like Pirlo are playing in a similar way, so I'm very happy that the tendency in football now is to try to play and try to attack."

Meanwhile, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says his side will have to play to their maximum if they are to have any chance of making history in the final.
"We cannot look back, we cannot think history influences anything," he said.

"Italy are four-time world champions. We were in the same group, have similar star players and both had to come through penalties."

GO TO PAGE 1 2 Next »
Comments in chronological order (Total 0 comments)



1100 characters remaining
 
Google+

Popular on Facebook

KCB 41.00 0.00
COOP 17.00 0.05
KPLC 17.15 0.15
ARM 70.00 1.00
EQTY 35.00 0.50
HFCK 25.50 0.00
KAPC 125.00 -1.00
KENO 10.95 0.15
KQ 11.30 0.00
MSC 4.45 0.05
SASN 13.50 -0.05
SCOM 7.25 0.00
Watch KTN Live Listen to Radio Maisha Live