13:35 | 2.07.2012 | Viewed []

Armada Invincible

 

 

In the medieval centuries, when Spanish had control over the seas, they built a huge fleet and called “Armada Invencible”, which was destroyed in pieces by the storm at British coast. As for football Armada, which is called Spanish national team since European championship 2008 is invincible and unstoppable. The idea of Henri Delaunay who was one of the founders of UEFA and the first general secretary of it, realized and was held European championship, till 2012 none of the team won it twice in a row. Spain broke this tradition in Kiev and equalized with Germany- both of the teams won gold medals three-three times.
Visente Del Bosque was criticized a lot, that the team use to play without a forward and its matches were boring. But the end justifies the means and the Spanish won gold medals with their characterized style. None of the team has never won European championship with four-point difference in final. After the match Vicente Del Bosque mentioned that they gained a historical victory. Preparation for the final match started in the morning in Kiev. Policemen blocked the surrounding territory of the stadium and journalists were not allowed to enter “Olimpiyskiy” without black stickers. It took quite long time to get to the media-centre for receiving black stickers and accreditation, when I got there first who I met, was Mamuka Kvaratskhelia. As he said, he did not work on final day and at last had managed to sleep. Kvaratskhelia offered me to help in case of problem. But UEFA works so organized that it is excluded to have some problem if you have accreditation. In media-centre I met Dato Minashvili and we talked about hosting Europe Super Cup 2015. It goes without saying that this news made us happy very much, because Georgia does not host such tournaments very often. But it cannot be said about Ukraine, every year hosting grandes is guaranteed for them, because of having “Shakhtar”, “Dinamo” Kiev”, “Metalist” Kharkiv.
Several hours ago before the final fans were warming up. Some of them were painting face, some of them were waving flags and some of them were scanning hi favorite team’s name. The surrounding territory of the stadium was full of tourists and in one glance, there were more Spanish fans then Italians.  This supposition came true, because “red-oranges” were more than Italians at the stadium. The fans who did not have tickets for this match were going to Freedom Square, where is to be held Elton John and “Queens” concert on Saturday. It is remarkable that 67150 fans attended this match and there were several empty seats at the stadium.
It is impossible to say anything wrong about “Olimpiyskiy”, but it is impossible to compare it to “Donbass Arena”. The teams got to the stadium two hours earlier and traditionally, they saw the lawn of the field in row. Mario Balloteli talked to several fans, who were drinking beer. Before staring the match, three-hour program was running on Ukrainian TV channel “Football” and Oleg Salenko the best bombardier of 1994 championship was host of this program. Rober Pires again gave LIVE to several channels. Steve McManaman again came to the media centre..
Both of the teams started warming-up an hour before starting the match. Before the match there was held a very beautiful closing ceremony and then the teams appeared. Spanish players again did not sing Spanish anthem and but instead of them their fans did it.

From the beginning of the match was clear which team would have superiority in this match. The Spanish gained control over the ball. Xavi and Iniseta as usual were the best play-makers.
Iniesta was named as the best player of the match and Christian Karambe and Davor Suker awarded him with special prize of “Carlsberg” at the press-conference hall after the match. According to him, football is his life and the team won the tournament with its characteristic style. Andres stated that it is not main to score goal yourself, the main is victory. As for Italians, their playing is depended on Pirlo-Casanno-Balloteli, who were not given chance to show their possibilities.  Chiellini left the field due to injury and Tiago Mota who substituted him after first touch with the ball injured and Italy continued playing with 10 players. Playing with 11 players against Spain is very difficult, especially with 10 players. By the way Del Bosque mentioned it at the press-conference that after Mota’s leave Italy stayed in a difficult condition.
“Squadra Azzuri” was not without chance, at the beginning of the second period, Di Natali had chance to score twice, but he could not use these chances.  It must be mentioned that Banuci stopped the ball when Sergio Ramos kicked the ball with head, but the referee did not set penalty kick.
At the press-conference Prandelli appraised the rival and called it fantastic team. He also stated that wanted to win final and the whole was disappointed. By the way he was calming down each player after final whistle but Bonuci and Balloteli could not stop crying. According to Prandelli, he explained to Balloteli that it is football and such thing is common in sport.
As for Del Bosque, he stated that even King of Spain congratulated him victory and on Monday two-times European champion will meet the monarch. Traditionally, he talked without emotions and stated that now they have to prepare for the qualifying stage of world championship. So, in fall Tbilisi will host two-time European champion. Del Bosque was asked, how he managed to win the tournament without striker, he answered that Arbeloa also can attack, even Jordi Alba managed to score. The coach underlined that there is not only way for achieving success in football.  
After ending the match, one of the fans jumped on the field and wanted to congratulate to the players this victory but stewards soon took him. The winners went to the tribunes where were sitting their family members and celebrated the victory with their children. Ramos took a red pelerine and did such moves as if he was at corrida. Pique took the cup and took photos with everyone he wanted, besides this he took his family members from the tribunes. The children also had a big fun with so called “rain” while their fathers were running in honorable circle. Everything was crowned with a huge firework above the stadium.

 

Lasha Tabagari, special correspondent of “Worldsport.ge” from Kiev
  

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