Spanish media hails spirit of golden generation
Reuters - Monday 12 July 2010, 10:27
MADRID - Spain midfielder Andres
Iniesta's dramatic extra-time winner against Netherlands in the
World Cup final was the crowning moment for a golden generation
of players, local media said on Monday.
"Our Spain... From Here to Eternity," daily El Mundo wrote
on their front page, while El Pais led with "Champions of the
World" over the top of a photo of captain Iker Casillas lifting
the trophy above his head in Johannesburg on Sunday.
El Pais continued: "The national team consolidated the
leadership of a dazzling generation."
According to consultants Barlovento, 14 million people
watched the 1-0 win on television, with the extra-time period
the most viewed Spanish broadcast ever, peaking at 15.6 million.
Iniesta's goal was played repeatedly on the morning news
channels with the commentators screaming in delight as the
players ran to pile on top of the midfielder.
The shy playmaker, who scored a similarly dramatic winner
for Barcelona against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final
in 2009, was singled out for special mention along with
goalkeeper Casillas.
"Iniesta and Casillas made us champions. Iker twice stopped
Arjen Robben from scoring, and Andres scored the historic goal,"
wrote Barcelona-based daily Sport.
Madrid-based As added: "Holland weren't able to knock him
(Iniesta) down with kicks or with a brutal pressing game.
"The battle was in the midfield... and it was obvious that
the massive destruction of Spain was put together (by the Dutch)
with malicious skill. Luckily Iniesta kept his feet and brought
down Holland and their ugly intentions."
CASILLAS KISS
Casillas, who could be seen crying on the pitch just before
the final whistle, was similarly unable to control his emotions
when being interviewed after the match by television reporter
Sara Carbonero, his girlfriend.
To whoops and cheers from fans across the country, he
grabbed her and kissed her in front of the cameras, leaving her
stunned and speechless.
If Casillas and Iniesta were the heroes, it was Dutch
midfielder Nigel De Jong and English referee Howard Webb who
were cast as the villains.
Photographs of De Jong's foot-up challenge into Xabi
Alonso's chest were carried in most papers, and sports daily
Marca remarked: "It was a rough game, tolerated by an
incompetent referee. Webb almost destroyed the final."
Ultimately, it was Spain coach Vicente del Bosque's subtle,
unfussy management of his playing resources that won the
admiration of commentators, having successfully built on the
side Luis Aragones led to victory at Euro 2008.
El Mundo, under the headline '23 hearts, one soul', wrote:
"The coach managed to achieve the objective he set himself -
the main protagonist was the team."
El Periodico spread the net wider and said the side had
earned a place alongside Formula One driver Fernando Alonso,
cyclist Alberto Contador, tennis great Rafa Nadal and basketball
player Pau Gasol in "The Golden Age of Spanish Sport."
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